The Terrible Story Behind the Beautiful Oongan Dams

Who doesn't know about the existence of Dam Oongan, which is located in the center of Denpasar and right behind the biggest mall in Bali or Living World, or more precisely located on Jl. Noja Saraswati No.20, Tonja, Kec. North Denpasar, Denpasar City, Bali 80237. Behind the place that is good for recreation, Dam Oongan has a dark story and mystical events that have been experienced by several local residents.

Dam Oongan is a place that is considered relatively haunted by the local community. This location is believed to be home to various supernatural creatures, such as Gamang, memedi, and others. The presence of these creatures has become an integral part of the daily lives of the locals, who feel their presence in various aspects of life. There are many mysterious incidents that have been recorded in Oongan Dam, which further strengthens the belief in the existence of these creatures. In addition, there is also a myth circulating in the community, which forbids people from dating at Oongan Dam. It is said that violating this myth will bring misfortune and make their romantic relationship not last long. This myth has become part of the cultural heritage and beliefs that are highly respected by the locals, so they go to great lengths to avoid doing things that violate these rules.

Top View of Oongan Dams (Source: Private Collection)

While it may sound mystical and strange to some, the beliefs and myths surrounding Oongan Dam are an important part of the cultural identity of the local people. They guard these traditions carefully, honor the supernatural beings that are believed to live there, and live their daily lives with respect for the myths that have been passed down through the generations.

Oongan Dam is also said to have been formed from the body of a man named Ki Sawunggaling. This source was obtained from Jro Mangku Wayan Sarga who is the holder of Pura Dalem Bugbugan Pucuk Danu. It is said that Ki Sawunggaling was the ancestor of Jro Mangku Wayan Sarga, the base of the dam or dam was made from the body of Ki Sawunggaling who sincerely used his body to be used as the base of the dam. Ki Sawunggaling at that time was a patih of King Cokorda Pemecutan at that time. In the past, the place was not a watery area but a dry forest. At that time, the village of Kesiman experienced a long drought and made the people of King Cokorda Pemecutan flee to the Kingdom of Badung. The King thought and decided to make irrigation channels by damming the river water flow. Even though he had made a dam, the rice fields in the area were still hit by drought. At the same time, Ki Sawunggaling did a meditation in the Oongan Dam area and he got instructions from Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, that he should make a dam whose basic foundation was made of humans. Ki Sawunggaling heard that method was very surprised and could not bear to sacrifice other people as sacrifices.

On one hand, Ki Sawunggaling could not bear to see the condition of his people who were starving and struggling. Ki Sawunggaling decided to sacrifice himself as a form of devotion to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. His wife who heard the news also sacrificed herself along with her beloved husband. They did this based on a sense of volunteerism, Since the husband and wife served by sacrificing themselves, the people of Kesiman no longer starved because their rice fields did not dry up. That's why the dam was named Dam Oongan, which means human dam.

Bottom View of Oongan Dam (Source: Private Collection)

Even though it's been a long time, even today there are still mystical events that occur, people don't dare to stay there for long, Jro Mangku Wayan Sarga said that here there are still often apparitions such as spirits and magic people who are changing form when transitioning from day to evening, sometimes there is also a glimpse of people who appear and then disappear mysteriously. There is also a beautiful woman with a fashionable appearance. The woman often appears when someone comes with bad intentions. "There was someone who experienced and told me about it. He said there was a woman standing on a bridge and wearing shorts. The woman was teased by two men by asking where the woman lived. When she answered, they showed her a big rock that they said was her house. Instantly the man was stiff and unable to move. She could not speak. I don't know how it went. What is clear is that if you go there with bad intentions, you will meet bad things too," said Jro Mangku Sarga.