MANINJAU LAKE - BEAUTY OF "BUJANG SEMBILAN" LEGEND (Eng. Ver)

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Danau Maninjau

Maninjau Lake. A very beautiful and famous Lake of Padang, West Sumatra, which is the hometown of my best friend, Joni Efrianto. This lake is the 11th widest lake in Indonesia, and  the 2nd largest lake in West Sumatra after Batur Lake. The lake is located in the district of Tanjung Raya, Agam, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The position is about 140 km north of Padang city, 36 Km from Bukit Tinggi and 27 Km from Lubunk Basung.

Maninjau is the water source for the Batang Sri Antokan River. In the upstream of this river, which is located in one part of the shores of Maninjau Lake, there is a Maninjau Hydroelectric Power Plant which supplies electricity to West Sumatra and the surrounding region. Maninjau Lake is surrounded by green hills. One of the highest peak of the hill is known as Puncak Lawang, which became a favorite spot for tourists who want to enjoy the Maninjau Lake view. Here also, sometimes there is paragliding activities. There are so many tourists who participated in this paragliding just to enjoy the beauty of Lake Maninjau from the air.

My Bro - Joni

Besides Puncak Lawang, another well-known area of Lake Maninjau is winding road from the top of the hill to the edge of the lake. This road is the route to achieve Maninjau Lake from Bukit Tinggi. This road is known as Kelok 44 (Curved 44), because the total of bends (curves / bends) in this road are 44. At the edge of this lake also there are many lodging and restaurant, that becomes the choice for tourists who take a vacation in Maninjau Lake.

Maninjau lake was formed by volcanic eruption of a mountain that supposedly known among the people of West Sumatra as Tinjau Mountain. This mountain is believed to be the origin of a famous legend about the formation of Maninjau Lake. This legend is known as the Legend of the Bujang Sembilan (Sembilan = Nine; Bujang = Bachelor, Single).

Once upon a time, there was a volcano called Mount Tinjau. At the peak of this mountain there is a very wide crater. At the Slope of Mount Tinjau this there are several prosperous villages, because the lands in the village is very fertile due to the Mount Tinjau volcanic ash which serves as a natural fertilizer. No wonder the majority of the population lives from agriculture.

In one of the villages, there is a family consisting of 9 boys and 1 girl. The nine boys are known as "Bujang Sembilan". They have a younger sister, a very beautiful woman. Their parents is already dead, so the oldest son act as head of the family. However, they still have an uncle who helped, guided and taught them about agriculture. The uncle did not live with "Bujang Sembilan" family, but every other day he always visit them, sometimes with his wife and his son.

At one time when the uncle visited the "Bujang Sembilan" family along with his wife and his son, an event which marked the beginning of this legend happens. It turns out the uncle's son fell in love with the youngest sister of "Bujang Sembilan". And the youngest also fell in love with the uncle's son. They agreed to meet at a river on the edge of the field and vowed to be faithful and loving each other.

At first they still keep their relationship from their families. However, because they afraid of slander arise then they finally tell the truth to the family. And it turns out the two families are highly approve of their relationship. Their relationship becomes more intimate day by day.

Lake Maninjau Panorama

One time, the yields in the their village was very good results, so as thanksgiving to Almighty God, they held a party or festival. One of the activities of the folk festival is a showcase of martial combat between the youth village. The eldest of "Bujang Sembilan" family  and their uncle's son took part in these activities.

After passing through every battle, the eldest must fight with his uncle's son. The fight was intense and balanced. One time, the eldest son managed to corner the uncle's son and he intends to give a kick. But the kick can be deflected by his uncle's son. Unexpectedly, this resulted in a broken leg and the eldest was lost. This turned out to make the eldest resentment and anger, because he felt humiliated by his uncle's son. Increasingly revenge on his uncle's son getting bigger but never shown by the eldest.

Some time later, the family of the uncle visited the family of the "Bujang Sembilan" with the intention to propose their youngest sister. In this family meeting, the eldest could no longer keep his revenge. He firmly rejected the proposal of his uncle's family by stating that the son was not a good man and also embarrass  the eldest at the festival. Any explanation and persuasion of the uncle is not heeded. This feud nauseating the younger sister and the boys.

One time, they both agreed to meet again at the river, they are confused to how to deal with problems they are facing. When moving from his seat, the girl's sarong caught in the thorns, torn and wounded his own thigh. The boy was then treat the wound in the girl's thigh with herb medicines. Apparently, their movements have been observed by "Bujang Sembilan" and villagers. They then catch the lovers, accusing them indecent act. The boy insisted that he was treating the wound in the girl's thigh, is not intended to another. However, the villagers do not want to believe.

They were both taken to the village's headman to prosecuted. And they were found guilty. As punishment they should be thrown into the crater of Mount Tinjau. They were taken with their hands tied and eyes closed. When they will jump into the crater of Mount Tinjau, the uncle's son was praying to the Almighty God to be given justice. If they are indeed guilty, then they are willing his body burned up in the volcano crater. However, if it turns out they are not guilty, then he begged the Lord to the volcano erupted and destroyed the surrounding villages, and also in order to "Bujang Sembilan" turned into fish.

Obviously, the son's pray heard by God, and Mount Tinjau erupted so terrible. It throws rocks, ash and lava in all directions. Destroying villages and the village residents. The volcanic eruption creates a wide crater and formed a lake, known as Maninjau Lake. The "Bujang Sembilan" turned into a fish, and inhabit the lake forever.

At the edge of Maninjau Lake

That is the legend of the formation of Maninjau Lake. Besides the beauty of the landscape,  Maninjau Lake also save a legendary from time to time. The names of the characters on the legend is currently used as the name of villages around Maninjau Lake, namely Cape Sani, Sikudun, Bayua, Koto Malintang, Koto Kaciak, Sigalapuang, Beams, Kukuban and Batang river.

Behind the legend, Maninjau become one of the favorite tourist attractions in West Sumatra. And certainly a pride of Minang. So, what are you waiting for ?? Prepare your holiday plan to Lake Maninjau Buddy .. !! Happy Holiday...!!