Indonesian Folklore: The Legend of Cindaku in Jambi

In Kerinci of Jambi province, there was a myth relating to the Kerinci belief of a creature…half-man and tiger known as the Cindaku. As someone born in Indonesia and loves myth, such myth intrigued me to find out more about this creature's myth. According to the legend, Cindaku itself was a man's power whose magic came from their ancestor who once lived there too. Those with such magic can transform into weretiger and perform their duty well. Anyone who practiced Cindaku must learn the discipline of keeping both worlds' lives from chaos. Unlike werewolves, Cindaku couldn't transform or gain such power if the bearer didn't step foot on Kerinci land.

The origin of Cindaku began from a human of Tingkas. Tingkas are people who had a strong spiritual connection with tigers, the connection was so strong that the people themselves turned into a weretiger. The people of Kerinci believed that Tingkas were their ancestors. In the golden age, Tingkas bore an important role for the Kerinci people, including helping the village to restore the forest. The relation between Tingkas and Cindaku originated from the strong spiritual connection along with interpreted magic formula (Also known as Mantra). Tingkas people can only transform into Cindaku if they put their chest on their birthland, Kerinci.

Witnessing such a phenomenon led the Kerinci people to believe that Cindaku power didn't come from magic power but rather, came from magic formula passed down from one generation to another according to the village's culture. Kerinci's ancestor Tingkas made an agreement with the tigers to keep each other's worlds safe. As Cindaku, Tingkas carried the role of mediator between both sides. The agreement was made to keep humans from disturbing the tigers and vice versa.

If one side broke the agreement, the Cindaku will interfere and attack the person at fault which goes the same for the tigers. If the tigers disturbed the human land, there will be a penalty for the king of jungle itself. The agreement between both sides is eternal and valid until forever.
Not all Kerinci people can be determined as Cindaku because only the people with Tingkas ancestor blood can be Cindaku. Not only that, but the person must also have a strong spiritual connection and be able to contain the magic inherited by Cindaku.

This lore not only exists in Kerinci but also expands from one mouth to another including Malaysia. Some Malaysian believed that Kerinci people could transform into tigers if angered or in danger