KI LUTUNG - ( karawang - jawa barat - Indonesian FOLKSLORE)
In the beginning of history, in Heaven, The Hiyang Guriang Tunggal was making a place to worship The Hiyang Tunggal, the creator of the Universe. All those who live in Heaven were working together to build the sacred place called Mandala Agung. While everyone was working, suddenly one of the building materials fell down to the earth, that was the wood of Haur Merah that should be used as the floor. All were panicked and bewildered, the wood was a very sacred and powerful piece which could not be possessed by humans. Humans who have the wood would acquire power to dry the sea, move the moon, stop the sun and drag the star.
Two of God Leaders, The Hiyang Wenang and The Hiyang Wening immediately went down to earth to find the wood. The Hiyang Wenang landed on Mount Mahameru on the east side and ordered all who lived in the jungle to look for the wood. The god promised that those who find the heaven wood will be transformed into humans. While The Hiyang Wening went to Rhinoceros, Crocodile, Monkey and Ciung Bird. The God asked the animal to help finding the wood and promised them the same
" If you find the wood I will transform you into a human" promised The Hiyang Wening. The four animals comply without any condition, they just wanted to help. While the turtle and the shrimp who overheard the promise of The Hiyang Wening also seized the opportunity and tried to look for the wood in the ocean.
The story told that The Wood of Haur Merah actually fell down into mountains and broke it. The mountain later is called Sumbing Mountain. When it was found, many creatures tried to pull it but it only made the wood spring back into Heaven and then was saved by the gods.
Since the wood had been found, the four animals, Rhinoceros, Crocodile, Monkey and Ciung Bird stopped the searching and decided to meditate and build sculpture, hoping that their act will be acknowledged by God and granted them transformation into human.
One day, Batara Kala who was going around the earth found something unusual, the west part was so quiet while the east was strident. Batara Kala went down and found the Rhinoceros, the Crocodile, the Monkey and Ciung Bird were in meditation. Batara Kala was impressed by their sacrifice, they were willing to suffer for gaining their wish. Then Batara Kala summoned The Hiyang Wenang and The Hiyang Wening and reminded them of their promises.
"Remember, you promised them human transformation if the wood was found. Fulfill the promise. Look how they let themselves suffer and meditate to be granted the blessing.
The Hiyang Wening agreed and fulfilled the promise, the four animals were transformed into strong and good looking humans. The animals were so happy.
"Now that we are human, what name should we use?" Ciung asked
"To obtain a name you have to travel first" Batara Kala answered Ciung's question. They complied and went separate ways to travel around the world gaining life experience. But before they went, Batara Kala gave them their own piece of land so when they come back from traveling they will not dispute over land.
To guard and take care of the land while the four went around the world, Batara Kala created a knight. The land was named Peudjeudaran that later changed into Pajajaran
The four travelled around the world in separate ways. Monkey that was then called Ki Lutung went to the sea. Ki Lutung travelled into every corner of the oceans and gathered many maritime experiences. After spending so many times in the oceans Ki Lutung went back to Peudjeudaran Land. He came into a place called Muara Cipamingkis and built a village there. In the time of Ki Lutung grandchildren, the village was moved into the delta of the river and developed into a kingdom called Kuta Tambaga
Since Ki Lutung was a man with maritime knowledge, he also decided to build a port. He went to a place that later is called Rawa Tambaga, which is located on Bekasi and north Karawang nowadays. Not only built a port, he also taught how to make a ship in many sizes. With the ships, many people became sailors and visited many places in the world. The Rawa Tambaga port had become well known and visited by many foreigners, among them were people who came from Barata ( India ). One day they asked permission to build a village on the west side of Citarum. Later that village developed into a big kingdom called Tarumanagara.
