Finding fine folktales for children<\/p>\n
BOGOR, West Java (JP): Many parents are frustrated when
\nsearching for good books for their children, but frustration
\ndoubles when it comes to quality books on folktales.<\/p>\n
Solution may be to have grandparents spin the tales to the
\nchildren. Problem is the grandparents may no longer be around,
\nand you yourself may have forgotten the details to Si Kancil Anak
\nNakal.<\/p>\n
Another option is to take your children to one of the biggest
\nbookstores in town, asking the sales clerk for books on Cerita
\nRakyat, or folktales. Most likely, he or she will lead you to a
\nsmall, dusty bookshelf displaying just a few books.<\/p>\n
Prices range between Rp 1,500 (that's less than 50 US cents on
\nthe current rate) to Rp 4,000, cheap compared to comics on the
\nadventures of Tintin, Asterix, Lucky Luke or the Hitchcock
\ndetective series. Leave your children to their own devices, and
\nthey are more than likely to head to those expensive book
\nsections.<\/p>\n
Why? Because many of the folktale books are not printed in an
\nattractive format. Most are reminiscent of school magazines from
\njunior or senior high school. They are written carelessly and are
\nput together in a slap-dash manner. Illustrations are poor. Even
\nthe writing is bad; some writers fill pages up by putting lots of
\ndots after every other half-sentence.<\/p>\n
Publishers and writers are not entirely to blame. It takes
\nmoney to publish books that are so good their small readers don't
\nwant to put them down. Writers, too, may find it more lucrative
\nworking for magazines or turning out more marketable stories,
\nthan turning their pen to folktales from across Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Maybe the government will someday help publishers and writers
\nproduce good folktale books to ensure this traditional literary
\nwealth does not die out. In the meantime, parents need to work a
\nlittle harder in finding what good folktale books are available
\nfor their children.<\/p>\n
One well-written and illustrated folktale is Wayan Bunter,
\npublished by Bina Rena Pariwara. Written by Tjiptoningtyas, it
\ntells of the short and ugly Balinese of the book's title. When he
\nwas small, nobody wanted to play with him, and so he spent his
\ntime talking to the statues that he skillfully carved. A god took
\npity on him, and granted him the power to make the statues come
\nalive to be his companions.<\/p>\n
One day, Wayan Bunter, who always remained kind-hearted
\ndespite being ostracized, was able to help the villagers against
\ntheir enemies. The villagers realized their mistake in ill-
\ntreating Wayan, and began treating him better, playing with him
\nso that he no longer felt lonely.<\/p>\n
For children 10 years or older, parents may choose a
\ncollection of folktales, retold by Endang Firdaus, and published
\nby Khatulistiwa. There are stories from Minahasa in North
\nSulawesi (Wulanwene), Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (Kraeng Toodo),
\nLombok, West Nusa Tenggara (Lo Aget and the Cat), Tapanuli, North
\nSumatra (Dewi Tatea Bulan) and many others. They are invaluable.
\nA suggestion is for you to read them first and retell the
\nstories, in your own words, to your children.<\/p>\n
For even older children who also wish to learn English, give
\nthem Folk Tales from Bali and Lombok (Penerbit Djambatan, 1990),
\nby Margaret Muth Alibasah. Adequately illustrated and accompanied
\nby a map of the two beautiful islands, the book is a gem.
\nChildren can read the story of Manik Angkeran, the legend of how
\nthe Bali Strait came into being (one can't help wondering whether
\nBalinese children still know about this particular folktale).<\/p>\n
The Half-child tells of Ni Oeboeh, who lost both her parents
\nat a very young age, had no siblings and eventually bore the
\nchild of the Sun God. But the offspring was a boy with only one
\narm and one leg. Of course, as every folktale has a happy ending,
\nNi Oeboeh and her child finally found happiness.<\/p>\n
There is also Kbo Iwo, the giant creature of not only
\nsuperhuman size and strength, but also a master builder and an
\nexpert on agriculture and irrigation. Legend has it that all over
\nBali there are buildings, wells, dams and even temples built by
\nKbo Iwo. The story deliciously relates the fateful day when Kbo
\nIwo got angry. (Soekanto S.A.)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/finding-fine-folktales-for-children-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}