The Origin of Cianjur

A Tale from West Java

Cianjur is located in province of West Java. The district, with mostly of its territory is in the form of
mountains, is famous of its agricultural products, namely rice. like other places in the archipelago, Cianjur
also has a story of its origins.
Long ago, in a fertile village, there was a very rich landlord. He controlled most of the rice fields and
fields in the village. Unfortunately, the landlord was very stingy. He got a bountiful harvest, but gave very
little in charity. Because of this attitude, the villagers nicknamed the landlord "Mr. Kikir".

Mr. Kikir: "Here, two baskets of rice are your allotment for a week."

Not only to the residents, even to his son Mr. Kikir was also miserly. One day, a very old villager came to
Mr. Kikir's house.
Old Man: "Master, lend me a basket of rice. Have mercy, my grandson hasn't eaten yet"
Mr. Kikir: "What? Borrow rice? You think I don't need rice? Hurry up and go! No rice for you.
My rice supply is running low!"
Seeing this, Mr. Kikir's son took his one basket of rice.
Mr. Kikir’s Son: "Grandpa, here I still have a bag of rice, take it"
Old Man: "Wow, thank you son, your kindness is really good. I don't know how to repay you"
The nature of Mr. Kikir's son is very different from his father's. Secretly, without his father's knowledge,
he helped many people, especially those who were poor and old. Until finally the rain arrived marking the
arrival of the planting season. As is tradition, before planting, the villagers hold a feast to avoid pests and
when harvesting they get abundant results.
Mr. Kikir also did a feast. Even though it was only based on concern, the crops were disturbed by pests.
Mr. Kikir invited all the villagers to come to his house. However, the residents who came full of hope had
to be disappointed because the food provided was very little. Even that is not worthy enough to be served
to the invited guests. Many of the guests did not get any food. Not long after the villagers arrived, an old
grandmother in shabby clothes came to Mr. Kikir's house.
Mr. Kikir: "Hey, Old Grandmother, who are you? Why did you come here?"
Old Grannny: "I'm sorry sir, I'm just an individual, living on the mercy of people. I hope you will give
me some rice. Since yesterday I haven't-"
Mr. Kikir: "No rice for you. Get out of here quickly!"
Guest: "Look! He to that Old Grandmother has no mercy"
Guest: "Even though his wealth is abundant, why is it so difficult for him to be generous to
others?"
Old Grandmother: "Just a little rice, sir. Just a stomach filler"
Mr. Kikir: "I told you earlier. There is no rice for you! Go quickly! or I will throw you out by force"
Finally, the Old Grandmother left Mr. Kikir's house. Secretly, from inside the house, Mr. Kikir's son saw
and listened to his father's conversation with the old grandmother. His heart was very sad to see his
father's behavior. Mr. Kikir's son immediately followed the old grandmother and gave her a packet of
rice.
Old Grandmother: “Thank you so much, son. Your heart is truly kind. In the future, your life will be
precious.”

Mr. Kikir’s Son: “only a little of this rice I can give, granny.”

Old Grandmother: “This is more than enough. Old people like me don't need to eat much. hehehe.
Son, tonight when it starts to rain, leave this village immediately. Don't tell anyone before tonight. And
invite all the villagers.”
Mr. Kikir’s Son: “Why is that, Granny?”
Old Grandmother: “Never mind, just do what Grandma said.”
The miser's son could only remain silent as he watched the old woman in shabby clothes leave. He still
did not understand the grandmother's orders.

The feast at Mr. Kikir's house ended. The villagers returned to their respective homes, although many of
them did not get any food. And when it gets dark...

The grandmother was right. It also started to rain.

Mr. Kikir: "Why do we have to leave this village? Is it so that my treasure can be looted?”
Mr. Kikir’s Son: “but the grandmother said-?”
Mr. Kikir: “how can you trust that old beggar? Are you out of your mind? This is just a normal rain like
the previous rains.”
Failed to convince his father, Mr. Kikir's son immediately hit the gong and called all the residents.
Surprised to hear the sound of gongs in the pouring rain, the residents came.
Resident: “What is it that rains like this to hit the gong? Is there anything important?”
Mr. Kikir’s Son: “we have to leave this village right now!”
Resident: “Why?”
The sound of thunder and lightning striked!
Old Grandmother: “You guys get out of this village immediately! Quick! Before it's too late!”
Residents: “Granny, weren't you the one this afternoon?”
Old Grandmother: “That's right, now go all of you from this village! before it's too late!”
The villagers did not argue anymore, they left the village in droves. Meanwhile, Mr. Kikir insisted on not
leaving the village. He remained at home guarding his abundant wealth. The rain was getting heavier,
accompanied by flashes of lightning. Slowly, the water began to flood the village. When the water was
getting higher, Mr. Kikir started to panic.
Mr. Kikir: “Help! Help!”
But it was too late, Mr. Kikir drowned with all his treasures. In the morning, from the top of a hill, the
villagers saw their village which was now submerged and turned into a lake.
They are all very sad. Although still sad because their village was sinking, the villagers immediately
looked for new land. Mr. Kikir's son was appointed village leader. In the new land, Mr. Kikir's son
distributed the land fairly to all residents. The residents respect and obey orders from Mr. Kikir's son.
They also worked together to build irrigation canals. in its development, the village became prosperous,
with fertile rice fields and irrigation canals. The village became known as anjuran, because the residents
obeyed the advice of their leader.

With a good irrigation system, the village was later named Cianjur. Ci in Sundanese means water.