Long ago, when the region now known as Serang Regency was still covered by vast forests and scattered small settlements, people’s lives were deeply dependent on the generosity of nature. The forests provided timber and game, while fields and rice paddies became the main sources of food. Despite the fertility of the land, the people often faced a major problem: unstable access to water. During the rainy season, water overflowed and flooded the fields, while during long dry seasons, the land cracked and dried, causing crops to fail.
Amid these conditions lived an elderly figure known as Ki Banten. He was neither a palace noble nor a soldier, but he was highly respected for his wisdom, humility, and deep spiritual knowledge. Ki Banten often traveled from one village to another, listening to the people’s complaints, offering advice, and helping whenever he could. To the community, he was a bridge between humans, nature, and the Creator.
One year, a drought arrived that was longer and harsher than ever before. Small rivers that had long supplied water began to shrink. Wells dried up, livestock died of thirst, and farmers could only stare helplessly at their fields, now hardened and dusty. Every night, villagers gathered to pray, hoping for rain or a miracle that could save their lives.
Hearing of this suffering, Ki Banten felt deeply moved. He believed that nature was never cruel without reason; rather, humans often forgot to maintain balance. With sincere intentions, he decided to perform tapa brata, a spiritual ascetic practice believed to open the path to divine guidance. He chose a quiet hill deep in the interior, far from the noise of the villages. There, he fasted, meditated, and prayed for several days.
On the seventh night of his meditation, the sky above the hill changed. The wind blew stronger, leaves whispered in the darkness, and heavy clouds hung low. In the silence, Ki Banten felt a powerful vibration from the earth. He received a divine sign instructing him to plant his sacred staff into the ground at a certain valley and allow nature to reveal its will.
The next morning, Ki Banten descended from the hill and walked toward the valley mentioned in the vision. The valley was untouched, filled with towering trees and dense shrubs. Standing firmly at its center, he planted his wooden staff into the soil with unwavering faith. Moments later, the ground trembled gently, and a soft rumbling sound emerged from beneath the earth.
From the spot where the staff was planted, clear water suddenly sprang forth. At first it flowed slowly, drop by drop, but soon it became stronger and more abundant. The water followed the natural contours of the land, forming a small channel that continued to extend. The surrounding trees appeared fresher, and birds gathered as if welcoming the birth of a new source of life.
The flow of water did not stop in the valley. It continued through forests, over rocks, and down into the lowlands. Along its journey, it merged with other springs, growing wider and more powerful. Before long, the stream transformed into a river that flowed steadily, bringing freshness and hope to the lands it passed through.
Villagers from various settlements soon noticed the change in nature. They followed the flow of water and discovered a river that had never existed before. Filled with gratitude, the people believed that the river was the answer to their prayers. Rice fields were irrigated once again, livestock found water, and life slowly recovered from the long crisis.
The river was later named the Cibanten River. In the local language, the word “ci” means water or river, while “Banten” refers to the land and people blessed by its flow. The name symbolized that the river was the lifeline of Banten, especially for the people of Serang.
As time passed, the Cibanten River became more than just a source of water. It served as a transportation and trade route, with small boats traveling back and forth carrying agricultural products, timber, and goods. Villages grew along its banks, and the river became the center of social life—a place where children played, elders gathered, and traditions were passed down from generation to generation.
Even today, the story of the origin of the Cibanten River continues to be told orally among the people of Serang. The tale carries a powerful moral message: humans must live in harmony with nature, maintain balance, and never forget gratitude and prayer. As long as these values are upheld, the people believe that the Cibanten River will continue to flow, bringing life and blessings to the land of Banten.