Prince Suta and King Bayang

Riau is one of provinces in Indonesia which is located in Sumatra island. In the past, there was a well-known kingdom namely Indragiri Kingdom. The time of Indragiri establishment is a matter of debate. However, the first government of Indragiri could be known from the first king, King Kecik Mambang or the first King Merlan (1298-1337). Indragiri Kingdom existed for six centuries (1298-1945). During the periods, there were 25 kings who ruled the kingdom. Sultan Hasan Salehuddin Keramatsyah was one of them. He was the thirteen Sultan and ruled the kingdom from 1735 to 1765 and stood at Japura.

Purportedly, at that time, Sultan Hasan had a very beautiful daughter namely Raja Halimah. Her beauty was famous as it was heard to other countries. One day, a king whose name Raja Bayang coming from a far country wanted to propose her for marriage. However, the proposal was rejected by Sultan Hasan so that Raja Bayang destroyed the Indragiri Kingdom. Sultan Hasan and his family were forced to flee to Gaung. In his asylum, Sultan Hasan heard about a prince from Jambi who had many experiences in the battle whose name was Prince Suta. Accordingly, he invited him to discuss the way to chase away Raja Bayang and his troops from the Indragiri Kingdom. How was the discussion between Sultan Hasan and Prince Suta? Will Prince Suta help Sultan Hasan to chase King Bayang and his troops away? If you want to know the answer, please read the story in the following folklore of Prince Suta and King Bayang.

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Once upon a time, Indragiri was ruled by Sultan Hasan Salehuddin Keramatsyah who stood at Japura. Sultan Hasan was a just and wise king respected and honored by his people. During his rule, all people lived in peace, safety, and welfare. Besides his capability in ruling the kingdom, he also had a beautiful daughter whose name is Raja Halimah. Her beauty was outstanding around other countries.

One day, a prince whose name is Raja Bayang came to Indragiri. He was accompanied by his three brothers: Raja Hijau, Raja Mestika, and Raja Lahis. Those four princes came with their followers and brave troops.

Their coming caused a stir among the people of Indragiri. Their behaviors were really disgraceful and improper. They destroyed all settlements, burned houses and attacked villages in the country. They cut down all sugar cane and banana plants with their machetes. People`s livestock like chicken, duck, goat and buffalos run away from their cages. Girls were afraid of going out. They were afraid of the wildness of Raja Bayang and his troops who acted arbitrarily.

Sultan Hasan was very upset to the attack and restless hearing the chaos caused by Raja Bayang and his troops. He asked all ministers to discuss how to cope with the danger that they faced. “O, my ministries! How can we face the power of Raja Bayang and his troops?”, asked Sultan Hasan to his ministers. “Have mercy, Your Majesty! Raja Bayang`s troops are too powerful to be defeated. They are very strong and accustomed to live in the jungle,” one of the ministers replied while paying homage to the Sultan. “That`s true, Sultan! It is better for us to wait what that prince wants,” added another ministry. “Ok then!” Sultan Hasan calmly replied.

A few days later, Raja Bayang`s group came to Japura. Although Raja Hasan felt irritated to Raja Bayang who had made the chaos, he welcomed him respectfully. “O, Raja Bayang! What is the purpose of your coming?”, asked Sultan Hasan. “I come to propose your daughter”, replied Raja Bayang arrogantly. Raja Bayang`s proposal was barely refused by Sultan Hasan. “O, Raja Bayang! Let you know! I don`t want to have a prince like you as my son in law. You came to my area with no accordance with the rules of the society. I do not allow my gentle daughter to be side in side with you who are very cruel and do not behave properly!”.

Listening to Sultan Hasan`s reply, Raja Bayang was very mad. Suddenly his face became red like burnt. “Hi, a stupid King! You will regret because of refusing my proposal,” threat Raja Bayang and he left Japura`s palace.

Not for a long time, Raja Bayang came back with his troops and his complete arms. Then they attacked the Indragiri Kingdom. There was no doubt that Indragiri could be easily destroyed in short time. Although Sultan had mobilized all Indragiri`s troops, they were not able to handle the power of Raja Bayang`s troops. Because of that, Sultan Hasan and his troops left Japura and fled to a place namely Gaung.

In that asylum, Sultan Hasan commissioned his ministries to take over Indragiri from Raja Bayang`s power.

“Have mercy, your majesty! There are many of our troops who died in the battle. Our power is decreasing,” said one of them.

“So, what should we do?” asked Sultan Hasan.

“Have mercy, Your Majesty! I have even heard about a prince from a country in the east who has good behaviors and has rendered Jambi many services. There is no doubt about his ability. Many oceans had been sailed, many islands had been stopped in, many lands had been explored, and many injuries had been felt because of the battle,” explained another minister.

“What`s his name?” asked Sultan Hasan with curiosity.

“Have mercy, Your Majesty! I do not know what exactly his name is, but people usually call him Prince Suta,” replied a minister.

After the discussion, they agreed to send Datuk Tumenggung to look for Prince Suta. In the next morning, after asking permission from Sultan Hasan, Datuk Tumenggung left Gaung with a boat. After many days of sailing, he arrived in Jambi territorial waters. He got information that Prince Suta was expelling pirates in Malaka Straits.

Datuk Tumenggung sailed around Malaka Straits for several times to look for Prince Suta. Finally, one day, he succeeded to meet him. He told all the problems faced by his King.

“O, Prince Suta! We had heard about your greatness. Our king wants you to help us, asked Datuk Tumenggung.

“Ok, I am willing to revenge a shame suffered by your king,” answered the prince friendly. After Prince Suta declared his willingness, both of them went to Gaung together with their troops.

Having arrived to Gaung, Sultan Hasan happily welcomed Prince Suta. After serving Prince Suta, Sultan Hasan and his ministers discussed the strategy of the war with Prince Suta.

In the next day, Prince Suta started to prepare war equipments. He also trained Indragiri`s troops so that they got their militancy after suffering many losses. Prince Suta`s troops who had been well trained in the battle both in lands and seas occupied Indragiri river. Then the troops together with Indragiri troops went to Japura.

A bitter fight happened since both of them have strong power. The fight lasted for several days. The four brothers` troops were unable to handle the severe attack. Many of their troops died and wounded. Their war equipments had broken. Raja Bayang and his three brothers set back to hinterland. Although Raja Bayang and his troops had retreated to the forest, Prince Suta commanded his troops to catch them.

Raja Bayang`s troops were in a mess. They were chased after by Prince Suta`s troops. Finally, they run out of food, lost their armament and power. Many troops were in serious injury. They lost their bravery. The four arrogant Princes went back to their country suffering from a big shame because of their lost.

Accordingly, Prince Suta`s troops went back to Japura. A delegate was sent to Gaung to pick up Sultan Hasan to go back to Japura Palace.

“ O, Prince Suta, because of your merit to this country, as the reward, I will marry you off my daughter, Raja Halimah,” said Sultan Hasan to Prince Suta. “Thank You, your Majesty!”, replied Prince Suta happily.

A week before the wedding party, all people of Indragiri were busy. They were busy of cleaning, fixing, and decorating the palace with several banners. The streets were tidied up, parks were greened, and the square was prepared for various shows of Prince Suta and Raja Halimah`s wedding. After that, Prince Suta was crowned as King of Japura. Their happiness had been complete. All people lived in safety, peace and welfare like they were.

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The story narrated above is included to a model story which contains moral values that can be used as guidance in our daily lives. Those values are to give assistance for the needy and to stay away from arrogance. Inclination of giving help is shown by Prince Suta when he was willing to help Sultan Hasan to chase out Raja Bayang and his troops from Japura.

Such characteristic is considered as the most important in Malays` philosophy of life. Thus, this value has been taught to their descendants as soon as they are in early ages. That`s way most of Malay people like to help and do some deeds to other people. They have been early taught and trained to help other people with willingness and sincerity. The superiority of this helping characteristic is often stated in expression of Tunjuk Ajar Melayu, one of them is as the following:

Apa tanda Melayu budiman
Tulus ikhlas sesama insan
Menolong umat mau berkorban
Hidup matinya pada kebajikan

Based on that expression, characteristics of giving help can be used as a model in our daily lives.

Whereas arrogant characteristics is shown by Raja Bayang and his three brother`s behaviors when destroyed Indragiri`s area. They felt that they were the strongest. This is the characteristic of arrogant people that always consider themselves as the superior while the other are inferior. They felt more than other people in all matters, like descent, wealth, knowledge, worship, etc. The signs of arrogant characteristic are to look down to other people, to feel superior, and like to be honored. In Malay`s life, such arrogance should be ignored in daily life.

(HQ/ter/79/11-07)

Resources:

• The content of the story is condensed from Al Mudra, Mahyudin, and Tuti Sumarningsih. 2005. Pangeran Suta and Raja Bayang. Yogyakarta: Adicita Karya Nusa.
• Effendy, Tenas. 2006. Tunjuk Ajar Melayu. Yogyakarta: Balai Kajian dan Pengembangan Budaya Melayu in cooperation with Penerbit AdiCita Karya Nusa.
• Rosadi, Andri. “ Sejarah Melayu: Kerajaan Indragiri, http://history.melayuonline.com, retrieved November, 9^th 2007.
• ASM, Romli. “Karakteristik Pribadi Mulia”, http://purwakarta.org/index.php/2006/05/07/karakteristik-pribadi-mulia/, retrieved November 9^th, 2007.
• Anonim. “Mencegah Sifat Sombong”. Munif, http://abdulmunif.wordpress.com/2007/09/27/mencegah-sifat-sombong/, retrieved November 9^th, 2007.
• Anonim. “ Kerajaan Indragiri”, http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerajaan_Indragiri, retrieved November 9^th, 2007.

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