Episode 050: Kesombongan Rakyat Ale Cina Dan Kemarahan Sawerigading
by I La Galigo
Adapted Version
After a long journey across the vast seas, the magnificent ship of Prince Sawerigading finally approached the shores of Ale Cina, a land he had heard much about. Towering mountains rose majestically, and fishing boats dotted the waters. Sawerigading observed a fisherman casting his net. "What is the name of this fertile land?" he inquired. The Arrogant Fisherman replied dismissively, "This is Ale Cina, the land of Ugi!" A sneer twisted his lips.
Sawerigading's smile vanished. "Who leads this country?" he pressed. The Arrogant Fisherman scoffed and walked away. Sawerigading trembled with fury, his royal pride deeply wounded by such disrespect. In his indignation, Sawerigading turned his gaze skyward. He prayed to Datu Patoto'e, seeking divine guidance and justice.
Immediately, the heavens darkened. A fierce storm erupted over Ale Cina, unleashing torrents of rain and furious winds. Lightning bolts rent the sky, striking homes and igniting fires. Panic spread rapidly as chaos engulfed the land. Witnessing the devastation, La Togeq Langi' approached Sawerigading. "Prince, you must cease this wrath!" he pleaded, his voice calm yet urgent. "Do not let your actions harm the innocent!"
Sawerigading fell silent, considering La Togeq Langi's wise words. He remembered his noble quest. "Very well," he conceded, "I shall withdraw my prayer." Sawerigading prayed again. Instantly, the dark clouds parted, the winds died down, and the sun broke through, restoring peace to Ale Cina.
"This is true humility," Sawerigading murmured. He soon encountered another citizen. "What is the name of this land?" he asked. The Respectful Citizen bowed deeply. "Ale Cina, honored sir," he replied. "It is divided into West and East, led by local rulers, united through marriage." Sawerigading felt a sense of relief. "Are there any unmarried princesses here?" he inquired, remembering his quest. "Indeed, honored sir," the citizen confirmed. "There are two princesses: We Tenri and her younger sister, Dai. However, Princess We Tenri is already betrothed. Full of enthusiasm, Sawerigading requested that the princesses be brought to his ship."
Original Story
Episode 050: Kesombongan Rakyat Ale Cina Dan Kemarahan Sawerigading
Setelah berlayar selama tujuh hari tujuh malam, Sawerigading dan rombongan akhirnya mendekati Ale Cina. Dari kejauhan, ia melihat gunung menjulang tinggi sambil memperhatikan para nelayan yang sedang menangkap ikan. "Apa nama negeri subur ini?" tanyanya kepada seorang nelayan yang tampak tidak menghiraukannya.
Nelayan itu menjawab dengan nada meremehkan, "Inilah Ale Cina, tanah Ugi!" Senyuman di wajah Sawerigading pudar mendengar nada angkuh tersebut. "Tunggu! Siapa pemimpin negeri ini?" tanyanya lagi, ingin mendapatkan informasi lebih mendalam.
"Kamulah yang harus tahu. Jauh-jauh kau berlayar tapi tidak tahu nama negeri ini?" ujar nelayan tersebut dengan nada mengejek sebelum pergi. Merasa terhina, Sawerigading bergetar dalam kemarahan. "Di mana rasa hormat mereka?" pikirnya, menyadari bahwa sambutan hangat yang diharapkan tidak ada.
Ia berdoa kepada Datu Patoto'e, meminta petunjuk. Saat itu juga, langit mendung dan badai pun datang, menyebabkan kekacauan di Ale Cina. Rumah-rumah terbakar karena sambaran petir, dan suara teriakan panik menghujani udara.
Melihat situasi tak terkendali, La Togeq Langi' mencoba meredakan kemarahan Sawerigading. "Berhentilah! Jangan sampai tindakanmu merugikan orang-orang yang tak bersalah!" La Togeq mengingatkan.
Sawerigading terdiam, mengingat tujuan kedatangannya. "Baiklah, aku akan mencabut doaku." Dengan tekad, ia berdoa lagi, dan tiba-tiba langit cerah kembali. "Ini baru merendahkan hati," kata Sawerigading saat ia bertemu seorang warga lagi.
"Warga Ale Cina, namakah negeri ini?" tanya Sawerigading. "Ale Cina, yang terhormat," jawab warga tersebut, menunduk sebagai tanda hormat.
"Siapa pemimpin di sini?" tanya Sawerigading lagi. "Ale Cina terbagi, ada Cina Barat dipimpin Laso Tempugi, dan Cina Timur oleh Abang," jawab warga itu, menambahkan, "Namun keduanya bersatu karena pernikahan mereka."
Mendengar ini, Sawerigading merasa lega. "Apakah ada putri yang belum menikah di negeri ini?" Ia teringat pada cita-citanya. "Ya, dua putri: We Tenri dan si bungsu Dai. Namun, We Tenri telah bertunangan selama tiga tahun dengan Setia Bonga," jawabnya, sambil lembut mencerminkan harapan.
"Baiklah, ajak mereka ke perahuku!" seru Sawerigading penuh semangat. Lalu, rombongan pun bersiap melanjutkan perjalanan menuju Ale Cina, siap berhadapan dengan tantangan baru sekaligus harapan pernikahan yang ditunggu.
Story DNA
Moral
Pride and arrogance can lead to divine wrath and destruction, while humility can bring peace and cooperation.
Plot Summary
Sawerigading arrives at Ale Cina, but his inquiries are met with extreme arrogance by the locals, enraging him. He prays to Datu Patoto'e, unleashing a destructive storm upon the land. His companion, La Togeq Langi', persuades him to cease his wrath to protect the innocent. Sawerigading retracts his prayer, calming the storm, and is subsequently met with humility by the citizens. He then learns about the land's leaders and an unmarried princess, setting the stage for his continued quest for marriage.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anger to resolution
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The Sawerigading epic is a significant part of Buginese literature, often recited and performed, detailing the adventures and lineage of a mythical hero.
Plot Beats (13)
- Sawerigading and his group arrive near Ale Cina after a seven-day journey.
- Sawerigading asks a fisherman about the land, but the fisherman responds dismissively and arrogantly.
- Feeling insulted, Sawerigading becomes enraged by the lack of respect.
- Sawerigading prays to Datu Patoto'e, asking for guidance.
- A severe storm, with lightning and fire, immediately strikes Ale Cina, causing widespread destruction.
- La Togeq Langi' urges Sawerigading to stop his actions to prevent harm to innocent people.
- Sawerigading, remembering his purpose, agrees to withdraw his prayer.
- He prays again, and the storm clears, restoring peace to Ale Cina.
- Sawerigading encounters another citizen who now responds respectfully.
- He learns that Ale Cina is divided into West and East, led by Laso Tempugi and Abang, who are united by marriage.
- Sawerigading inquires about unmarried princesses.
- He is informed of two princesses, We Tenri and Dai, but We Tenri is already betrothed.
- Sawerigading, full of enthusiasm, requests that the princesses be brought to his ship, ready to continue his journey and pursue his marriage goal.
Characters
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Sawerigading
Tall and powerfully built, with a commanding presence befitting a prince or warrior. His skin is a warm, medium brown, indicative of his Southeast Asian heritage, with strong, defined features.
Attire: Wears a finely woven songket sarong in deep blues and golds, paired with a matching long-sleeved baju melayu top. Adorned with a gold keris tucked into his waist, its hilt intricately carved, and possibly a gold chain or pendant.
Wants: To find a suitable princess to marry and establish his lineage, and to be treated with the respect due to his royal status.
Flaw: His pride and quick temper can lead him to rash actions, potentially harming innocents.
Learns to temper his anger and consider the consequences of his actions, understanding that true respect is earned through humility as well as power.
Proud, determined, quick to anger when disrespected, but also capable of mercy and strategic thinking. He is driven by his ambitions and a strong sense of honor.
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La Togeq Langi'
Of average height and build, with a wise and calm demeanor. His skin is a medium brown, with features that suggest experience and thoughtfulness.
Attire: Dressed in practical but respectable traditional Malay attire, perhaps a simple, dark-colored baju melayu with a plain sarong, indicating his role as an advisor rather than a ruler.
Wants: To guide Sawerigading and ensure his actions are just and beneficial, preventing unnecessary harm.
Flaw: Perhaps too cautious at times, potentially holding back Sawerigading's more assertive impulses.
Remains a steadying force, reinforcing his role as a wise counselor.
Wise, calm, empathetic, and a voice of reason. He is loyal to Sawerigading but not afraid to offer counsel.
The Arrogant Fisherman
A sturdy build, typical of someone who works physically, with sun-darkened skin from days spent at sea. His features are common for the region.
Attire: Wears practical, simple fishing attire: a loose-fitting, short-sleeved cotton shirt in a muted color, and a simple sarong or trousers, possibly stained from his work. Barefoot.
Wants: To assert his perceived superiority or simply to be left alone, viewing Sawerigading as an outsider.
Flaw: His excessive pride and lack of respect lead to dire consequences for his people.
Serves as the catalyst for Sawerigading's anger, representing the initial arrogance of Ale Cina's people.
Arrogant, dismissive, disrespectful, and proud of his homeland to the point of rudeness.
The Respectful Citizen
An average build, perhaps slightly older, with a more humble and cautious demeanor than the fisherman. His skin is medium brown, typical of the region.
Attire: Wears simple, clean traditional Malay clothing, perhaps a plain baju melayu and sarong, indicating his status as a common but respectful citizen.
Wants: To provide information and show proper respect, perhaps out of fear or genuine good nature.
Flaw: His timidity, though it serves him well in this instance.
Represents the changed attitude of Ale Cina's people after Sawerigading's initial display of power.
Humble, respectful, helpful, and cautious, having learned from the recent disaster.
Locations
Coastal Waters of Ale Cina
The open sea near the coast of Ale Cina, with a prominent mountain visible in the distance. Fishermen are actively working in their boats.
Mood: Initially calm and expectant, then tense and furious, finally relieved and hopeful.
Sawerigading's arrival, initial encounter with the arrogant fisherman, his prayer causing a storm, and subsequent prayer to clear it.
Ale Cina Village (during the storm)
A coastal village in Ale Cina, characterized by traditional Bugis stilt houses ('rumah panggung') made of wood and thatch. During the storm, some houses are burning from lightning strikes, and the air is filled with panicked screams.
Mood: Chaotic, terrifying, destructive, and desperate.
The village suffers the wrath of Sawerigading's curse, with houses burning and widespread panic.