The legend of Kemarau island

This story comes from Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia. On the fifteenth days of Chinese New Year, those who celebrated the Chinese New Year in Palembang and the area around it usually goes to Kemarau island. The island is located in the middle of Musi river. They come to the island to pray for their ancients. Some young adults also come to the island they want to pray to find their soul mate because on the island they can find a tree that people believe as mate tree.

Actually there is legend following the appearance of Kemarau island.

It is said that there was a young prince from China named Tan Bu An. He came to Palembang to study. While he studied he met a beautiful young girl name Siti Fatimah. They fell in love and they wanted to get merry. However, Siti Fatimah and Tan Bu An came from different ethnic and religion. Siti’s parents didn’t agree about their marriage.

However, Siti’s parents didn’t dare to refuse the prince proposal. So as a result, Siti’s parents asked Tan Bu An to bring some jewelries in some jars as the condition if Tan Bu An wanted to marry Siti.
“If you want to marry my daughter, you should bring 10 jars of jewelries from your country” Said Siti’s father
“Yes, sir,” said Tan Bu An.
Then, Tan Bu An asked the King to send 10 jars of jewelries. The King sent 10 jars of jewelries on a ship. The jewelries was covered by some vegetables. The king thought that it would be savior from the pirates.

When the jewelries came, Tan Bu An was very disappointed, he thought that the jars is only filled with vegetables. So he threw away the jars into Musi River. After he threw away the jars, the guard said that the jewelries were in the jars covered by the vegetables. Tan Bu an was very sorry and he ran to the river, he tried to get the jewelries back. However the stream of the river was very strong, Tan Bu An sank to the river.

Meanwhile, at her house, Siti was waiting Tan Bu An. She was shocked to hear that Tan Bu An sank in Musi river. Siti ran to the river and threw her away into the river. She wanted to meet Tan Bu an.

Years goes bye and on the middle of the river appear an island. People believe it as the place where Tan Bu an and Siti Fatimah met at the bottom of the river. And people call it Kemarau island, because the island is always dry even the river is tide.