By: Sasi (Halu Oleo University)

This Wawonii Island in Konawe Islands Regency has many unique stories. One of them, in Langara Bajo Village, where we took data. Mr. Mustamin, the Customary Chief of Langara Bajo Village, told us stories while sipping his tea. Uniquely, some of the legends told are closely related to water, an important element in human life.

'Langara' itself comes from a combination of Wawonii and Muna languages. La means 'esophagus' and 'nggara' means 'river'. Combined, it means "esophagus times". It is said that starting in 1973, there was an immigrant who came from Buton Island and Muna.

They felt thirsty and looked for a place to drink water. When looking for water to drink, the nomads found a river that had water, and he drank the water. So the nomad gave the name of the village as Langara Village.

Wawonii Island knows no drought. According to legend, the Ringkulele baths are the cause. Ringkulele is one of the baths in Langara Bajo Village, which is used as a tourist attraction. Long ago, a beautiful white-skinned girl named Ringkulele of unknown origin, died and was buried in the village.

After her body merged with the earth, this "Ringkulele" water source appeared. Hence, the bathhouse was named "Ringkulele", after the girl. Until now, the Langara Bajo community still utilizes fresh water from the Ringkulele bath for their daily needs.

Thanks to the water from the Ringkulele bath, the local community no longer has difficulty finding water for drinking or washing. They connect the pipes from Ringkulele to the houses of local residents.

There is a unique belief from Ringkulele bath. When someone visits the Ringkulele baths and the person is just silent, the water in the Ringkulele baths will be reduced or not flowing fast.

But when the person speaks, then the water will automatically flow fast. Wawonii people believe that this is like a girl, who when silent then the girl is shy, and when the girl speaks, then it means the girl is open.

In a way, I can conclude that life should be like Ringkulele - no matter what. When we die, we leave behind benefits.