Folk Tales from The Sacred Land of South Sulawesi
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Folk Tales from the Sacred Land of
South Sulawesi is a captivating collection of
traditional stories originating from various regions across South Sulawesi,
Indonesia. This book presents twelve enchanting tales rooted in the oral
traditions of the Bugis, Makassar, and Torajan cultures—stories that have been
passed down through generations to preserve wisdom, history, and timeless
values.
The collection opens with the tale of I Laurang,
a unique Bugis folktale about a boy miraculously born from a shrimp, who grows
into a noble man and marries a princess. Blending fantasy with moral
reflection, this story explores themes of perseverance, inner worth, and
justice.
The book then takes readers into the epic world of La
Galigo, through the celestial descent of Batara Guru, the heroic
voyage of Sawerigading, and the wise leadership of We Tenriabeng.
These legendary tales form the mythical foundation of the Bugis people's
worldview and spiritual beliefs.
Other powerful narratives include the touching love
story of Datu Museng and Maipa Deapati, the resilience of La Upe,
an orphan who overcomes adversity with magical help, and the divine encounter
in To Manurung, highlighting the spiritual ties between heaven and
earth.
Stories such as Tempe Lake, Princess
Tandampalik, Toakala, and The Origin of the Name Enrekang are
deeply interwoven with themes of nature, destiny, sacrifice, and tradition.
Meanwhile, moral fables like Batu Memmana’e (The Crying Stone)
offer lessons on the consequences of arrogance and disobedience.
Each story is rich with cultural symbolism, local values,
and age-old wisdom, making this book not only a source of entertainment but
also a meaningful gateway to the heritage and identity of South Sulawesi.
