The Legend of Snake Dandaung

The Legend of Snake Dandaung

Once upon a time, there was a very big and famous kingdom in south Kalimantan. The kingdom was located between two mountains and passed by a very broad river. The natural resources of the kingdom are very plentiful. The kingdom was lead by a very just and wise king. He had a queen and seven beautiful daughters.
The natural resources owned by the kingdom are not used only for the king’s benefit, but for the people’s welfare. The process their fields in accordance to the rights they have. No dispute ever took place between the people. They live harmonious and peacefully.


One day, a giant bird that passed their village surprises the citizen of the kingdom.

“There’s a giant bird!” shouted villagers of the kingdom who saw the giant bird. They did not know where the giant bird that suddenly runs amuck came from. The bird was very scary; its peak is very big, shiny and sharp.


“We must fight the giant bird!” said the governor to the king. Then, the king sent thousands chosen soldiers to kill the giant bird. Many weapons aimed to the giant bird, but is was useless. Rice fields and farms were destroyed. The harmonious and peaceful country is like a country that lost a battle.


The people gather their strength and collect any weapon to fight the giant bird. Because of their solidity and cooperation between the soldiers and villagers, the giant bird was tired and stopped its attack.

The people thank God because they were avoided further damage caused by the giant bird. A couple of days later, they were surprised by a giant snake. The snake stuck out its poisonous tongue in front of the king’s family who were very afraid.


“Do not be afraid my king, I will not kill you and your family, as long as you grant my wish,” said the snake hissing. Heard what the snake said that gave sign that he will not endanger his family, the king gather some courage to speak to the snake.

“Who are you? And what do you want?” asked the king.

“My name is snake Dandaung,” the giant snake answered with respect. “I wish to take one of your daughters as my wife,” he continued.

Of course, the king, family was shocked.
Even the oldest daughter and her five sisters screamed in fright and hugged their mother. On the other hand, the king was very calm and tried to control the situation so that the condition did turn chaotic.
The king thought for a while and took his breath. He wanted the best solution for the problem, because if he took the wrong step, his life and his family will be in danger.


“I do not refuse, but I also do not accept you request,” said the king half confuse. “I must ask my daughters,” he added.

Hearing what the king answers, the snake dandaung’s eyes shone as is waiting for certainty from one of the king’s daughters. However, none of the king is daughter willing to accept snake Dandaung’s proposal.

“I do not want to marry to a disgusting snake!”

“I’d rather be dead, than to marry him,” those were the words said by the king’s daughter.

But the youngest daughter was different, not like her elder sisters.

“I am willing to be his wife,” said the youngest princes while sitting in front of his father.

Finally, youngest daughter and snake dandaung pronounced as husband and wife. The youngest daughter was mocked by her sisters, but she only replied with smile.


One night, the youngest daughter woke up from her sleep and surprised to see the one next to her was not snake dandaung, but a handsome and strong man with a king outfit.

“Do not be surprised, I am your husband. You have helped me broke the curse,” said snake Dandaung assuring.


After youngest daughter calmed down, snake Dandaung told that he was cursed because of his mistake. He would be freed from the curse if he could take a daughter’s king as his wife, and he did it. Seeing it, her six sisters regretted it. But nothing can be changed now.

Snake Dandaung was actually a very powerful person. Seeing his father in law’s kingdom destroyed he jumped into the battle himself. He searched the nest of the giant bird. There was a great battle took place.
Snake Dandaung gave all his might and finally killed the giant bird.

Since then, the village became safe and peaceful again.