Lembuswana is an amalgamated cryptid, with the body of a bull, head of an elephant, wings of an eagle, talons of a rooster, and fish scales for skin. They are the royal steed of kings that once ruled what is now known as Kalimantan a.k.a Borneo.
They don’t have a very extensive history behind them; the famous one was just acting as the steed which brought baby Princess Karang Melenu from the bottom of the Mahakam River (which was ‘born’ from a dragon, by the way). Later beliefs simply depicted the Lembuswana as just a ride or a chariot puller, an exotic water buffalo, most famously as a steed to King Mulawarman of the Kutai Empire.
Today, the Lembuswana are mainly revered in Kalimantan. Multiple statues have been made of them, with a golden one standing in front of the Mulawarman museum, East Kalimantan. They are a symbol of regal, righteous, and wise leader because of their association to great kings and the Hindu god of wisdom, Ganesha. Despite their ties to godlike ancient kings and Hindu gods themselves, they are not holy and sacred creatures. Their status is like Sleipnir, in a way.
The sapience of these creatures is dubious at best, though it wouldn’t be quite surprising if they have some form of sapience.
ARE THEY ELIGIBLE?
Proceed with caution.
Do realize that the Lembuswana has always been referred to as an ‘animal’ in the myths.
People of Borneo (and Indonesians in general, for that matter) have never heard of romances with a being that isn’t human. Our myths aren’t as raunchy as the Greeks or the Nordics. We’re a generally very chaste culture, too shy to even think about sex.
Sexualizing and objectifying the Lembuswana is INADVISABLE.
Romanticizing is a different story, though. The Lembuswana’s concept is already a romanticization of ancient kings that are revered to the same level as gods (they did name a shopping mall after it and had its statue built at the entrance) . Regular water buffaloes just aren’t pretty enough, so whoever started this myth began slapping other cool animal features to the bull and make it shiny golden.
I can’t speak for the people of East Borneo, but romancing the Lembuswana seems to be pretty okay. I’d just advise you to keep their regalness and wisdom intact. It’s sort of like the only thing they’re known for. A high fantasy setting where they remain as a king’s steed and companion but has the sapience to interact with people is, in my opinion, the best, most respectful way to depict them in a romantic fashion. Bonus point if you can give the effort to make it extra ethnic.
Platonic affection is the safest way to depict this creature in fiction.
Random trivia: The Indonesian contestant for Miss Supranational 2017 in Poland wore this Lembuswana-inspired costume to the runway and I just have the greatest need to share this adasdkaskfljasjd
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