The Story of Ande Ande Lumut
What You Need to Know About the Story of Ande Ande Lumut
Ande Ande Lumut is a traditional Javanese folktale from Indonesia. The story revolves around a prince who disguises himself as a commoner named Ande Ande Lumut to find a true and humble bride. He sets a challenge that only a girl with a pure heart can pass. Through this test, he discovers Klenting Kuning, a kind and deserving girl, and marries her. This tale emphasizes the values of humility, sincerity, and the importance of inner beauty over outward appearances.
The Story
Once upon a time, in a kingdom in Java, there lived a wise and noble prince named Raden Panji. He wanted to find a bride who was not only beautiful but also pure-hearted and humble. To achieve this, he decided to disguise himself as a commoner and took the name Ande Ande Lumut. He lived in a small village and let it be known that he was looking for a bride.
In a nearby village, there lived a widow with three daughters. The two older daughters, Klenting Merah and Klenting Biru, were proud and vain, while the youngest daughter, Klenting Kuning, was kind, hardworking, and humble. Despite being mistreated by her stepsisters, Klenting Kuning remained cheerful and compassionate.
News of Ande Ande Lumut’s search for a bride reached the widow’s household. Eager to marry the handsome young man, Klenting Merah and Klenting Biru dressed in their finest clothes and set off for his village. Klenting Kuning wanted to go as well, but her stepsisters and mother forbade her, leaving her to do the household chores.
Undeterred, Klenting Kuning finished her tasks and set off for Ande Ande Lumut’s village with the help of a magical old woman who provided her with beautiful clothes and a pair of magical slippers.
As the three sisters approached the river that separated their village from Ande Ande Lumut’s, they encountered a giant crab named Yuyu Kangkang. The crab offered to carry them across the river, but only if they agreed to kiss him. Klenting Merah and Klenting Biru, desperate to reach Ande Ande Lumut, agreed and kissed the crab. However, when it was Klenting Kuning’s turn, she refused and instead prayed for help. The magical old woman appeared and helped her cross the river without any conditions.
Upon arriving at Ande Ande Lumut’s village, the three sisters were brought before him. Ande Ande Lumut, aware of their actions, asked each sister how they had crossed the river. Klenting Merah and Klenting Biru boasted about kissing the crab, thinking it would please him. When he asked Klenting Kuning, she humbly explained how she had prayed and received help from the magical old woman.
Ande Ande Lumut then revealed his true identity as Prince Raden Panji and declared that he was seeking a bride who was pure-hearted and virtuous. He praised Klenting Kuning for her humility and sincerity and announced that she had passed his test. The prince and Klenting Kuning were married in a grand ceremony, much to the delight of the villagers.
The story of Ande Ande Lumut serves as a reminder that true beauty and worth are found in the heart and character, not in outward appearances or superficial actions.
