The Legend of Kiai Layung, the Giant Kancra Fish of Citarum River
Long ago, when the ancient Bandung Lake had just receded, the limestone hills along what is now Padalarang-Rajamandala were revealed. Life continued, and humans began to inhabit the newly dried areas.
However, alongside humans, plants, land animals, and aquatic creatures also thrived. All lived in harmony under the balance maintained by the deities.
Beyond the limestone hills, towards the west where the Citarum River flows, there was a village called Cihea. In Cihea, precisely along the Citarum River, there was a deep river pool known as Leuwi Dinding.
Due to its depth, the waters of Leuwi Dinding were almost always calm. The water was clear, as there were no factories, vegetable farms, or household waste disposal areas contaminating the upper reaches of the Citarum River, which spans from Bandung to Bekasi, West Java.
In this deep pool, there was a guardian. More precisely, a ruler of the place—Kiai Layung. Kiai Layung was an aquatic creature in the form of a giant kancra fish (a species of mahseer). Unlike ordinary kancra fish, which are typically small to medium-sized, Kiai Layung was extraordinarily massive.
A Cursed Being Seeking Redemption
According to Tatang Setiadi’s book Asal-usul Hayam Pelung jeung Dongeng-dongeng Cianjur Lianna (2011), Kiai Layung was believed to be a powerful human who had been punished by the deities. His crime was an ambition to become the strongest being on Earth and a desire to rule over heaven.
As a consequence of his transgressions, Kiai Layung was transformed into a giant fish and sentenced to an eternal existence in Leuwi Dinding. However, there was a way for him to regain his human form—by performing a ritual of basking in the evening sunlight, known in Sundanese as layung.
Every evening, within the silent and tranquil waters of Leuwi Dinding, Kiai Layung would emerge near a wide, flat stone and warm his body under the golden hues of the setting sun. This ritual was his attempt to one day return to his human form.
For years, he lived peacefully, watching the balance of life in the river unfold. He saw other kancra fish, considered sacred by the deities, thrive without fear of threats.
The Disruption: Arrival of the Rhinos
One day, this tranquility was disturbed. A herd of rhinos arrived and began swimming and wallowing recklessly around Leuwi Dinding. Their presence caused chaos—many kancra fish were trampled to death, and the once-clear waters became muddy and turbid due to the rhinos’ disruptive behavior.
Despite having once been a powerful human, Kiai Layung, now in the form of a fish, was powerless against the large and mighty rhinos. Not even the presence of a lodaya (a Sundanese term for tiger) could intimidate them.
Seeking Help from Humans
Realizing that he needed assistance, Kiai Layung recalled a powerful human who might help him—Kiai Padaratan. Using his remaining supernatural ability, Aji Panggentra, Kiai Layung sent a telepathic message to Kiai Padaratan.
The message reached Kiai Padaratan, who immediately embarked on a journey through forests and hills to reach Leuwi Dinding. By the time he arrived, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow upon the river. There, he saw the enormous kancra fish basking in the light.
Kiai Layung explained the dire situation to Kiai Padaratan. Filled with empathy, Kiai Padaratan agreed to help drive away the rhinos. However, before parting ways, an unspoken agreement was made between them.
Kiai Layung, grateful for the assistance in restoring peace to his cursed existence, granted humans the right to use the water of the Citarum River for survival. Additionally, he allowed kancra fish to be consumed by humans, as it was deemed a destiny assigned by the deities.
The Battle Against the Rhinos
With his extraordinary skills and the help of several allies, Kiai Padaratan engaged in a fierce battle against the rhinos. Using weapons and martial arts techniques, they slowly managed to push the rhinos away from Leuwi Dinding.
Defeated and outmatched, the herd of rhinos retreated from the area. Over time, Leuwi Dinding returned to its former serenity. Kiai Layung continued his ritual, basking under the evening sun, waiting for the day he might reclaim his human form—if that day ever came.
Explanation about Kiai Layung & References
The legend of Kiai Layung reflects a blend of Sundanese mythology, spirituality, and environmental awareness. It tells a story of cosmic balance, human-nature relationships, and moral lessons about humility and respect for nature.
The mention of Leuwi Dinding in Cihea, Citarum River, and the cultural belief that kancra fish were sacred suggests the story may have originated as a folklore-based explanation for local traditions.
This legend also highlights a historical connection between humans and their environment, emphasizing the sustainable use of natural resources—such as the Citarum River, which remains vital to West Java’s ecosystem.
Read More:
Heartbreaking Legend of Si Loreng: A Tiger’s Ultimate Sacrifice in Penyalahan Village
References about Kiai Layung:
- Tatang Setiadi, Asal-usul Hayam Pelung jeung Dongeng-dongeng Cianjur Lianna, 2011.
- Various oral traditions from West Java folklore.
