Folk Tale: The Legend of Endang Nawangsih

The Legend of Endang Nawangsih

(Folk Tale from Surakarta/Solo)

Have you read the story of Golden Snail or Keong Emas? If you have, you may read the story of Endang Nawangsih.

Once there was a village named Canditoro. In that village lived a girl named Endang Nawangsih. She was kind, friendly and liked to help other people. Endang Nawangsih liked vegetables and fruits. She planted them to help other people. Anyone who needed vegetables or fruits can ask Engdang Nawangsih for them. 

One morning, when she was picking vegetables, came a handome young man to Canditoro. The young man was as actually the son of King Hajipamasa, the ruler of Pengging. His name was Raden Citrasoma. He has a duty to visit Canditoro, while he was there, he enjoyed the beautiful scenery in that village. 

Endang Nawangsih lifted up her face and saw the handsome young man. Raden Citrasoma was enchanted by her beauty and gentleness. They looked at each other, then introduced themselves. After taking for a while, Raden Citrasoma went away.

In the palace, Raden Citrasoma did not make a report about his duty. Instead, he said about Endang Nawangsih. Raden Citra soma wanted to marry that beautiful girl.

King Hajipamasa summoned Syekh Maulana Malik Ibrahim Maghribi. He was Raden Citrasoma’s teacher. The King asked for his opinion about Raden Citrasoma’s wish to marry a village girl. Syekh Maulana was silent for a while, then he nodded. He said he agreed. Raden Citrasoma was very happy. 

Meanwhile, in the village, Ki Ageng Pantaran, Endang Nawangsih’s father was having a chat with his neighbors. Suddenly, Endang came in a hurry.

“I just met a handsome young man. His name was Raden Citrasoma!” she said.

Ki Ageng smiled to his daughter.

Endang Nawangsih had really become a young woman now. 

The next day…..

King Hajipamasa, Raden Citrasoma and Syekh Maulana came to Canditoro. They were going to propose to Endang Nawangsih. 

Endang Nawangsih was shocked. “How come that he come back so soon?” and he was accompanied by two men,” she said to herself.

The King said to ki Agng Pantaran, “We come to ask your daughter to marry my son.”

Endang remembered that the King had a magic amulet called Angin Selaksa. The amulet could help the owner to finish something ver quickly.

“Endang, will you marry Raden Citrasoma?” asked her father.

“Yes, but only one condition,” she answered.

“Mention it,” said the King.

Endang answered shyly,

“ I want Raden Citrasoma to make a clean water source here in Canditoro,”

“That is a good condition! I will do it!” said Raden Citrasoma.

Then the King, raden Citrasoma and Syekh maulana went back to the palace.

The next morning, Raden Citrasoma went to a quiet place in the forest. There he prayed and meditated for a long time. His body became hot, hotter….and hotter.

The evil spirit who dwelt in the forest felt disturbed. They tried to attack Raden Citrasoma. He got angry and fought back.

Hundreds of evil spirits attacked raden Citrasoma, but he defeated them. Th evil spirit said,”You have defeated us. Now we will obey your command.”

“Really?” asked raden Citrasoma.

“Sure. Why did you meditate here?”

“I want to marry a girl. She agreed, but I have to make a clear water source in her village.”

“Don’t worry. We will help you,” said those spirits.

They were not evil anymore.

While the spirits worked, Raden Citrasoma continued to pray and mediate. He asked for God’s help. Not along after that…clear and fresh water spurted out of a hole in Canditoro. The village people were surprised. But…they were happy. The water kept spurting out, then it flowed down the slope of Mount Merbabu.

When Raden Citrasoma came, Ki Ageng praised him. But he said, “I did not make that water source. God created it for us!”

King Ageng admired his modesty. He blessed him and gave him permission to marry his daughter.

The couple lived happily on the slope of Mount Merbabu, 1200 m above sea lebvel. The air is cool, the water is clear and fresh, and the scenery is beautiful.