Si Pitung.
Si Pitung (old spelling: Si Pitoeng) or Pitung is a 19th century bandit in Batavia, the Dutch East Indies (now Jakarta, Indonesia). His actions have created various legends about his biography, adventures and death.
Si Pitung was born in the village of Pengumben, a slum in Rawabelong, near Palmerah Station today. The son of the four couples, Bang Piung and Mbak Pinah is real name Salihoen. According to oral history, the nickname "Si Pitung" comes from the Javanese phrase "pituan pitulung" which means "seven friends of help". As a child, Salihoen studied at Hadji Naipin boarding school, where he was taught to recite, trained in pencak silat, and was accustomed to always be aware of the surrounding conditions.
Basically there are three versions of the Si Pitung story circulating in the community, namely the Indonesian, Dutch and Chinese versions. Each version highlights Si Pitung's personal with its own assessment. The Pitung was praised as a hero in the Indonesian version, but was criticized as a villain in the Dutch version.
The story of Si Pitung is spoken by the people of Indonesia today and is part of the legend and Betawi cultural heritage in particular and Indonesia in general. The story of Si Pitung is sometimes spoken in the form of rancak (a kind of ballad), poetry, or Lenong story. In the version of Koesasi (1992), Si Pitung is portrayed as a popular Betawi figure, a pious Muslim, and an example in upholding social justice.
Source: http://Wikipedia.id
