Indonesian Folktales

by Murti Bunanta, Margaret Read MacDonald (Editor)

Overview

The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia is home to hundreds of ethnic groups with diverse cultures and languages. Focusing on the rich heritage of the country, this latest addition to the highly acclaimed World Folklore Series presents 29 stories from across Indonesia, most of which have never been published in the English language. Build your multicultural collection or expand your repertoire with tales that provide a moving and colorful image of the diversity and richness of the people and lands of Indonesia. Six thematic groups are presented: Jealous and Envious Brothers and Sisters; Stories of Independent Princesses; Stories of Ungrateful Children; Stories about Rice; Stories of Place Legends; and Stories of How Things Come to Be.
All Levels

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781563089091
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/30/2003
Series:	World Folklore Series
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.25(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Murti Bunanta is an author, educator, and storyteller. She received her doctorate from ehe University of Indonesia and is founder and president of Kelampok Pencinta Bacaan Anak, the Society for the Advancement of Children's Literature, a nonprofit organization that pioneers programs to develop children's reading in Indonesia.

Margaret Read MacDonald is an author, storyteller, and librarian. She holds a PhD in Folklore from Indiana University and is the author of over 30 books on folklore and storytelling.

Table of Contents

CONTENTSPrefacexiAcknowledgmentsxiiiMap of IndonesiaxvPart 1:A General Introduction to IndonesiaThe Land3The People4Language5A Brief History6Religion and Customs8Performing Arts and Music9Arts and Crafts10Textiles11Storytelling12Part 2:Food, Games, and CraftsFood15Games18Crafts21Part 3:The TalesJealous and Envious Brothers and Sisters26Tattadu (South Sulawesi)27Bujang Permai (Pasar Baru Regency in West Sumatera)31Molek (Riau Province)37The Three Brothers (Lampung Province)41Stories of Independent Princesses44Princess White Hair (Perigi Village in South Sumatera Province)45Princess Pinang Masak (Senuro Village in South Sumatera Province)48Princess Kemang (Bengkulu)50Contents ixStories of Ungrateful Children53The Legend of Malin Kundang (West Sumatera Province)54The Spoiled Little Kitten (Deli Serdang in North Sumatera Province)57Sikintan (Jamu Region in Aceh Province)59Rawa Tekuluk (West Sumatera Province)62Batu Badaung (Ulath Village on Saparua Island in South Maluku Province)65Stories About Rice68Why Rice Grains Are So Small (West Kalimantan Province)69The Origin of Rice on Java Island (Central Java Province)71The Origin of Rice (Flores in West Nusa Tenggara Province)77The Origin of Rice (Central Kalimantan Province)79How Rice Grows in the Wet Rice Field (Central Sulawesi Province)81Stories of How Things Come to Be83The Origin of the Name of Kundi Village (Bangka-Belitung Province)84Why Goat Eats Grass (East Nusa Tenggara)85Why Shrimps Are Crooked (Central Kalimantan Province)86The Origin of the Banyan Tree (Central Java Province)90The Origin of the Trunyan People (Bali Province)93Legends About Places96The Legend of a Lake (Toba Lake) (North Sumatera Province)97The Legend of a Hill (Bukit Kelam) (West Kalimantan Province)100The Legend of a Swamp (Rawa Bening) (Central Java Province)102The Legend of a Stone (Batu Pelanduk) (East Kalimantan Province)105The Legend of a City (Banyuwangi) (East Java Province)109The Legend of a River (Sembra River) (Papua Province)111The Legend of a Mountain (Talang Mountain) (West Sumatera Province)114Motifs and Tale Sources119Glossary129Bibliography133Index137About the Author, Editor, and Illustrator143x Contents

Editorial Reviews

Indonesian Folktales is worth reading—and keeping—for those who want to broaden their knowledge on traditional Indonesian culture. It is hoped that this kind of literature will reach a wide readership through publishing and literary discussions to preserve Indonesia's heritage.” —The Jakarta Post

“Readers will be delighted with such a fresh and interesting collection of tales, many never before published, even in Indonesian. The extra materials enhance the understanding of each story and place it in proper cultural context. Impeccably documented.” —Story Bag

“As with other volumes in this series, the book begins with valuable information about the country. . . . MacDonald has appended excellent source notes giving background on each tale. . . . There have been few collections of Indonesian folktales readily available. Thanks to Libraries Unlimited for opening a window to traditions little known in the U.S. and countering the often grim headlines from Indonesia.” —Territorial Tattler

From the Publisher