South Aceh Regency, Aceh, Indonesia, with the capital city of Tapak Tuan, holds so many charms and unique stories behind it. Often referred to as Dragon City, this area is known for its beautiful marine tourism. One of the places that is legendary and is considered mystical by the local community is the Tapak Tuan nature tour. This tour is very crowded with local and foreign tourists, usually for selfies on the giant footprints on the beach.
This tour is located in
Gampong Pasar, Tapak Tuan District, South Aceh. Approximately 1.5 km from
the center of the City of Tapak Tuan. Although to visit there is not easy,
visitors must pass through rocks of various sizes.
The famous footprint in the
form of a giant footprint 2.5 meters wide and 6 meters long, is located on the
shoreline and the mountain range of Mount Lampu, Tapak Tuan. Along the
way, the eyes will be spoiled with beautiful sea views with several fishing
boats at sea and large cement carriers parked in the harbor.
This Tapak Tuan tour has
undergone restoration so it no longer looks natural, because the surface has
been coated with cement. However, the original form of the site has not
changed. Around this Tapak Tuan tourist spot, there is also a simple seat
made of wood that directly faces the sea, so that tourists can enjoy the beauty
of the expanse of the ocean.
Tapak Tuan comes from the
two syllables 'Tapak' and 'Tuan'. The naming is inseparable from the
legend of Tuan Tapa and the existence of giant footprints there. This
legend has been passed down from generation to generation and is believed to
this day.
The mystery of the giant
feet is said to have originated from the legend of a powerful ascetic with a
giant body named Sheikh Tuan Tapa. He spends all his time worshiping his
Lord, always making dhikr, and constantly remembering the name of the Creator,
both when his eyes are open or closed.
Even in an unconscious
state his heart will always be controlled by his love for his Lord. Every
day he spends meditating in a cave in South Aceh. For his perseverance and
sincerity in spelling and always glorifying the name of his Lord, he is often
given inspiration about various supernatural things that not many ordinary
people know.
While meditating, Sheikh
Tuan Tapa was disturbed by the battle of a king from the Asralanoka Kingdom
from the Indian Ocean who was about to take his son from two dragons.
Sheikh Tuan Tapa then came
out of the cave to help the king who was in trouble in the middle of the
ocean. His footprints while jumping are left on this site. After the
fierce battle, two dragons died at the hands of Sheikh Tuan Tapa who was armed
with a wooden stick, and the king was able to get his son back.
Although the Princess had
returned to the arms of the king and empress, the two of them did not return to
the kingdom and chose to settle in Aceh. The royal family then settled
near the Syekh Tuan Tapa cave, which later became the forerunner of the Tapak
Tuan settlement.
Not long after the
incident, Syech Tuan Tapa disappeared at a location. In addition to the
giant footprint, not far from there there is also a stone in the middle of the
sea which is believed to be Tuan Tapa's skullcap which has now become
stone. The skullcap came off during the fight. The stick that had
turned to stone was also there.
Located 5 km from the site,
there is a heart-shaped rock in Batu Itam Village and dragon scales in Batu
Merah Village. According to the story, the remains of a male dragon who
lost a fight.
There is also a reef shaped
like a sailboat at Batu Berlayar Beach, Damar Tutong Village, Samadua District,
South Aceh, which is located about 20 km from the giant footprints. It is
said that the rock is the remains of the ship of the king and empress of the
Asralanoka Kingdom which was destroyed during the battle. There is also a
giant tomb with a width of 2 meters and a length of 15 meters at the Tuo
Mosque, Padang Village, Tapak Tuan, which is located about 1 km from the giant
footprints.
Meanwhile, Tuan Tapa's tomb
is located in Kampung Padang, Tapaktuan District, South Aceh, about 10 km from
Tuan Tapa's trail which is located on the seafront of Mount Lampu. Tuan
Tapa's tomb is behind a mosque that stands firmly as the Old Mosque which is
opposite a Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 Tapak Tuan.
A place that is considered
sacred that comes from an original history of the region, creates a strong
attraction for people to visit who believe in various things that are thick
with historical and mystical nuances.
Tuan Tapa's tomb is very
large, reaching 25 meters in length and 8 meters in width. It is very
difficult to imagine if people who live today think about how tall and dashing
this man was in his day. "It is said that this tomb is the final resting
place or the place where Mr. Tapa disappeared a week after the fight,"
said Chaidir.
In addition to the famous
mystical place, Asian Destinations Readers can also enjoy the beauty that still
feels natural at the foot of Mount Lampu. Its location right on the edge
of the ocean, is also a plus in itself.
You can see the legendary
site, while enjoying the sea breeze and the roar of the waves hitting the
rocks. The place is located on a rock at the foot of Mount Lampu and faces
the open sea.
Mount Lampu is a hill that
is about 50-100 meters above sea level. The hill was green full of grass
and shady trees. The open sea faces directly into the Indian
Ocean. The water is clean blue.
The landscape allows
visitors or tourists to relax, enjoy the scenery and take pictures. One of
them took pictures next to the giant trail or it could also be on top of a
building devoted to tourists.
But be careful when posing
in front of the camera, because not infrequently large ocean waves will rise to
the rocks. Of course, it will be very interesting if you pose with the
backdrop of giant footprints and a panoramic view of the ocean with its fierce
waves.
For site tourism itself
also has a myth, namely the rules that you must obey when visiting
there. The rules are simple, namely not to be too excited, arrogant, talk
dirty, and do indecent acts.
If you break it, be
prepared for the waves to drag and drown. This is what is often used as an
excuse when there are victims who are dragged by the waves
there. Basically, every regulation in a certain tourist spot is to
maintain the ethics of visitors, so there is nothing to lose if they are
obeyed. And what is no less important is our behavior in maintaining the
natural beauty that God has created, in order to survive beyond human life.
Sources :
https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2021/06/07/legenda-tuan-tapa-telapak-kaki-raksasa-di-kota-naga-aceh-selatan
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