THE THREE GODS; FOUNDERS OF JAGAD BASEMAH
Translated from
Kisah Tiga Dewa Pendiri Jagat Basemah
written by Dian Susilastri
published by
Language Development and Cultivation Agency
Ministry of Education and Culture
in 2016
This translation has been published as the result of the translation program organized
by The Center for Language Strategy and Diplomacy Development,
Language Development and Cultivation Agency, Ministry of Education and Culture
in 2018

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Besemah is the name of a tribe that inhabits the valley of
Dempo Mountain in Pagaralam, South Sumatra and its
surroundings. According to the story of the elders, there were
three deities who became the puyang (ancestors) of the Basemah
people, namely Dewa Gumay, Dewa Semidang, and Dewa Atung
Bungsu. They were the ones who opened the land, made
civilization, and spread the jurai (descendants) of the Besemah
tribe to almost control the territory of South Sumatra, parts of
Jambi, and Bengkulu.
The Three Gods: Founders of the Universe of Besemah is
adapted from some narratives from the jeme (people) of Besemah
about the legend of Besemah. The story told by the interviewee is
one version of various stories of the legend of the universe of
Besemah. In this version of the book, the legend of Besemah is
referred to as a story with imagination mixed from the main
source plus other sources. Thus, it is only natural for the reader to
find a somewhat different story about this legend of Besemah.
The three gods who are the characters in this book, Dewa
Gumay, Dewa Semidang, and Dewa Atung Bungsu, have their
respective roles in establishing the Universe of Besemah. They
also have stories and experiences in carrying out the mission of
establishing the universe of Besemah. Hopefully the readers can
take some lessons from this tale.

Palembang, April 2016
Dian Susilastr