[1] According to the Central Maluku legend, the three rivers (Eti, Tala and Sapalewa) flow from a sacred lake on the mountain peak called Nunusaku.

[2] The three rivers are known in local language as Kwele Batai Telu or Kwalai Batai Telu ("three stream branches"; Indonesian: "Tiga Ruas Sungai") watering the island of Seram (Nusa Ina).

[3] "Nunusaku" (a lost great kingdom according to legend)[3] is a term consisting of two words: "nunu" (ficus tree) and "saku" (truth).

[4] Alune and Wemale people live in the watershed areas of the three rivers.

[5] It flows southward,[6] and empties into El-Paputih Bay on the southwest coast of the island.