Folklore

The Legend of Situ Bagendit

Once upon a time, in a solitary village in the land of West Java, there lived a rich
womannamed Nyai Bagendit. She got her abundantwealth right after she received inheritance
form her late husband. Ever since she received the enormous wealth, she, unfortunately, grew
stingy. Nyai Bagendit started to party a lot and dissipate her wealth. She also liked to show off
her jewels and wealth to her friends and colleagues. Yet, she never helped her neighbor when
they needed it.

One day, Nyai bagendit held a party. Just like usual, she showed off her wealth and jewels.
Suddenly, there came a beggar with her dirty cloth.

“Madam.. please give me some food” she said.

Nyai Bagendit was furious and casted the beggar away. “Get away from my house, dirty
beggar!”

And the beggar went away sadly.

In the morning, something peculiar happened in the village. Suddenly, there was a rod stuck
in the ground. No one could lift the rod even they tried so hard. At last, there came the beggar
who previously was casted away by Nyai Bagendit. She lifted the rod.After she lifted the rod,
another peculiar thing happened. Once the rod was lifted, water flowed from that place. Water
flowedheavier and heavier. It swept away anything. People started to get panic and ran to save
their life. They ran to the higher ground to not get drowned.

Meanwhile, Nyai Bagendit did not want to leave her house and all her wealth. She wasbusy
saving her jewels. On the other hand, water flowed swifter and ruined the village. Nyai Bagendit
swam while carrying her jewels. However, her jewels seemed too heavy and the flow got more
fiercely. She, finally, was unable to save her life and drown with her wealth. The flood was
massive and changed the village to be a lake. People, then, named the lake as Situ Bagendit
Lake.
 This flood caused many victims. There were only small number of people who survived
from this flood. People who were safe from the flood kept telling this story to their children, their
children, to their grandchildren, and so on.

They kept telling this story to remind them for not being arrogant and greedy. Besides, it
also reminded them to always help others. God would always be with people who gladly helped
others. Thus, it is the legend of Situ Bagendit Lake.

Questions

1. Why did Nyai Bagendit famous with her bad attitude ?

2. How was the Bagendit’s house?
3. What did the old man come to Bagendit’shouse for?
4. What did the old beggar said to Nyai Bagendit ?
5. What did the moral value for the story above ?

Answer
1. Because She was the richest person in the village. And she did not like to help others
2. It was large and beautiful
3. An old man came to her to ask for some money
4. She said that Nyai Bagendit will get punishment from God because all of her bad attitude
during now
5. Don’t be arrogant if we have wealth, because the arrogant will make someone get a bad
reason