Get to know the Legend of Si Pahit Lidah (Si Bitter Tongue)
Folklore and legends about the story of Si Pahit Lidah are very well known in Sumatra, especially in the south (South Sumatra, Bengkulu and Lampung).
The popularity of the legend can still be seen today.
Both within the scope of society, the inheritors of this legend have been passed down from generation to generation.
The popularity of this legend is increasingly undeniable in the virtual world that people love today.
There are 10 (ten) and even more website/blog pages that post stories from the legend of Si Pahit Lidah .
The publication of a series of folklore books or similar, of course, further strengthens the popularity of this character.
And, the inheritance of this story from generation to generation continues.
The telling of this story does not only take place among groups of people who believe in the character of Si Pahit Lidah in this story.
But, has also spread throughout the archipelago and even the world.
Based on the story of the Legend of the Bitter Tongue, there are two story patterns that distinguish the legend into two versions.
The First Story of Si Pahit Lidah
The first legendary story of Si Pahit Lidah has a story with a storyline depicting the life of Si Pahit Lidah with his wife and sister-in-law named Aria Tebing.
In this version of the story, the opposition of Serunting Sakti and Aria Tebing becomes the spice of dispute in the relationship between the two characters in this story.
The estuary of the feud between these two figures became the cause of Serunting Sakti isolating himself from social life and finally gaining supernatural powers.
After coming out of seclusion and returning to community life.
The magic of Serunting Sakti has both positive and negative impacts.
The bad impact of the magic of Serunting Sakti’s tongue.
His every word that uttered an oath against people, animals and things, turned to stone.
The positive impact of the magic of Serunting Sakti is to help a husband and wife who do not have children.
So, that they finally have children from a strand of their hair.
And change the arid and barren area into a dense wilderness.
The Second Story of Si Pahit Lidah
The second story of Si Pahit Lidah has a story with a storyline about the battle between Si Bitter Tongue and Si Mata Empat.
In this story, it only tells about the supernatural powers between Si Pahit Lidah and Si Mata Empat.
Bitter Tongue died as a result Si Mata Empat ruse.
Likewise, Si Mata Empat, met his death due to poisoning by the tongue of Si Pahit Lidah.
In general, this is the pattern of stories and legends of Si Pahit Lidah circulating among the people.
Apart from the widely spread stories and legends of Si Pahit Lidah.
Among the people in the Besemah area, it turns out that they have their own version of the story about the story of Si Pahit Lidah.
Legends of Si Pahit Lidah Among The People
Some of the stories told have a story orientation that is influenced by the background of the megalithic remains in their area.
As told by the story of Si Pahit Lidah delivered by Mr. Idriansyah from Tanjung Telang Village, West Merapi District, Lahat Regency.
In Tanjung Telang Village itself there is a megalithic site located in the West Merapi Middle School environment, Lahat Regency.
The Story of Batu Putri
According to Mr. Idriansyah’s narrative, stories from parents about the statues in Tanjung Telang.
The name of the statue is known as Batu Putri, if our daily term is “Batu Beteri”.
This Princess Stone is the sister of Si Pahit Lidah.
In the past, the custom of the people to dry rice in this area was carried out on the edge of the village.
It is not permissible to dry the rice in the middle of the village.
Our area is in the highlands, between the village and the rice drying area separated by a river.
When the Princess was drying the rice, Si Pahit Lidah was at home.
Because the Princess had gone out to dry the rice for so long and it was already evening.
Si Pahit Lidah without him knowing it had said, “where is my brother, has he turned to stone”.
Beyond the knowledge of Si Pahit Lidah.
What he had said had become real.
Where his younger brother had been turned into stone.
After a long wait for his sister who had not yet come home.
Without thinking much, Si Pahit Lidah left the house and headed for his sister’s location to dry the rice.
After arriving at the intended location, Si Pahit Lidah called for his younger brother but no answer.
After trying to find, Si Pahit Lidah also found his younger brother who had turned to stone.