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There are many legends in Indonesia, and one could even say that for each island there are hundreds, often passed down orally—sometimes to explain the presence of a volcano, sometimes to teach life lessons to the inhabitants.
We invite you to discover 6 legends that still lull the nights of the island of Sumatra, so as to immerse you even more in the beauty that Indonesia has to offer during your stay.
1. The Birth of Lake Toba
In northern Sumatra lived a farmer named Toba. Between days in the fields, he enjoyed fishing. One evening, he caught a huge red fish and hurried to bring it home. But when he went to light the fire to cook it, the fish had disappeared. In its place, gold coins sparkled.
The fish was in fact a nymph in disguise. Toba married her, on the sole condition that he would never reveal her origin. From their union a son was born, Samosir.
One day, the child brought his father’s meal but, hungry, he ate half of it. Furious, Toba scolded him: “You little fish!”—thus betraying the secret. Hurt, the mother ordered Samosir to take refuge on the nearby hill; then she returned to her aquatic form. The waters rose, swallowing Toba and the valley: thus Lake Toba was formed, while the height where Samosir found refuge became the island of Samosir.
2. Lake Lau Kawar
In the Karo country stood the fertile village of Lau Kawar. One day, the inhabitants celebrated a great harvest festival; everyone took part, except an old woman too weak to travel. Hoping someone would come and get her, she watched her children and grandchildren pass by… and ignore her.
After the ceremony, she was brought only the leftovers from the banquet. Humiliated, the grandmother addressed God with a vengeful prayer: that the lesson of respect owed to elders be remembered. Soon after, an earthquake, lightning, and torrential rains swallowed the village, leaving only a vast crater: Lake Lau Kawar.
3. Batu Gantung – “The Hanging Stone”
On the shores of Lake Toba lived parents and their daughter Seruni. Promised against her will to a cousin, the young woman secretly loved another boy. Desperate, she decided to throw herself into the lake with her dog, Toki.
On the way, she slipped into a rocky crevice. As the walls closed in, she cried: “Parapat, parapat batu!” (Come closer, rocks!). Toki ran to warn the village, but when help arrived, the fissure had already closed. An earthquake revealed a rock whose silhouette resembles a young girl clinging to the cliff: Batu Gantung. The surrounding place took the name Parapat, in memory of Seruni’s last words.
4. Simalungun, “the isolated land”
Long ago, the small Batak kingdom of Tanah Djawo (Sinaga clan) feared an attack from the powerful Majapahit kingdom of Java. Despite the alliance of neighboring kingdoms, Tanah Djawo was defeated; inhabitants and nobles fled in groups.
One of them found refuge on the island now called Samosir, but the desire to return to their native village remained.
When the exiles finally returned to Nagur, they discovered an almost deserted region. In tears, they repeated: “Sima-sima na lungun…”—“What a lonely place!” The name became Simalungun, now referring to the entire territory.
5. Sigale-gale, the dancing puppet
A king of Toba had only one son, Manggale. Sent to war, the prince died. Overwhelmed, the king fell seriously ill; healers diagnosed an incurable grief. One of them suggested carving a statue in Manggale’s likeness.
Once the work was completed, a ritual invoked the prince’s spirit to animate the wooden figure. Carried to the palace to the sound of the gondang sabangunan, the puppet—named Sigale-gale—began to dance like the deceased. Seeing it, the king recovered his health. Since then, Sigale-gale has appeared in funeral ceremonies, offering a final dance to those who depart.
6. The Tragic Princess Runduk
In the 7th century, the thriving Islamic port of Barus Raya was ruled by King Jayadana and his exceptionally beautiful wife, Puteri Runduk. Their wealth aroused envy: King Sanjaya of Mataram (Java) and King Janggi of Sudan each raised an army to seize Barus and the princess.
Sanjaya prevailed, killed Jayadana, and held Runduk captive. But Janggi launched a counterattack; in the chaos, loyal servants helped Runduk flee to the island of Morsala. Relentlessly pursued, the princess despaired: rather than be taken, she threw herself into the sea.
Her steward, Sikambang Bandahari, mourned her disappearance and composed a long lament. It is said that during the escape, Runduk’s belongings were scattered from island to island; each still bears the name of the abandoned object—Pulau Lapik Kain, Pulau Terika, Pulau Puteri, etc. Today, the story of Princess Runduk remains a mourning song for the lost glory of Barus Raya.
We are sharing these legends with you because we believe they will help you feel the soul of Sumatra. We therefore hope that these stories will enrich your perspective and make your stay in Sumatra or Indonesia even more vibrant and memorable.
