<P> Bawang merah dan bawang putih (Malay / Indonesian for Shallots and Garlic) is a popular traditional folklore originated from Nusantara (Malay archipelago), about two siblings with opposite characters; one good and one bad, and an unjust step mother . The folklore has the same theme and moral as the European folktale Cinderella . </P> <P> The story centers on a pair of half - sisters named Bawang Putih and Bawang Merah . Bawang Putih is the Malay name for garlic, while Bawang Merah is the Malay name for onion or shallot . This naming convention is in the same vein as the Western fairy tale sisters of Snow - White and Rose - Red although the previous do not get along as well . The use of these names for the female protagonist and her antagonist is symbolic of their physical similarity (both girls are beautiful) but have completely different personalities . Since the original folktale was passed on orally, different variations of the story exist . In some versions, Bawang Putih is the good and kind daughter, while Bawang Merah is the cruel and vindictive one . While in the 1959 black and white Malay movie, it is the other way around, the shallot being waterly bringing tears to the eyes and garlic being pungent . There are several version about the story of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih, one involving a magic pumpkin and the other involved a magical fish . Curiously the second version is very similar to Sundanese folktale of Leungli the magical fish . </P> <P> The origin of the story is obscure and unclear, some suggest that it was a Riau Sumatran Malay folktale that later transmitted into Malay Peninsula, while some holds that it was originated from Yogyakarta in Java . Nevertheless, despite its unclear origin, the story is a popular children folktale in both Indonesia and Malaysia . </P> <P> In a village, live a widow with her two beautiful daughters, Bawang Merah (Red Onion or Shallots) and Bawang Putih (White Garlic). Bawang Putih's real father which was also the widows's husband died long ago . Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih had opposite characters and personalities . Bawang Putih was diligent, kind, honest and humble . Meanwhile, Bawang Merah was lazy, glamorous, proud and envious . Bawang Merah's bad personality was worsened because her mother spoiled her . The widow always gave her everything she wanted . It was Bawang Putih who did all the work in the house . Doing the laundry, cooking, cleaning, essentially all of the work were carried out by herself . Meanwhile, Bawang Merah and the widow just spent times making themselves up, because when they needed something they could just ask Bawang Putih . </P>

The story of bawang putih and bawang merah