Aji Saka & Alfabet Jawa

A long long time ago in the island of Java there was a kingdom of Medang
Kamulan. The land of Java was very fertile and productive. Most of the
island of Java are arable. And water are abundant. Java was very rich with
plants. They had almost all fruits in the world. All year long the weather is
always sunny. As a result farmers can grow any kinds of fruits, vegetable
and all kinds of plant all year long. The land of Java was also very rich with
gold and many kinds of mineral. Many people earned their living by working
on gold mine. Since Java was also rich with mine they also made weapons
like sword, lance, trident etc. They sold those weapons to China, India and
many other countries. But if you think that the Javanese people were
prosperous you are wrong.

At the time Java was ruled by a monster. His name was King Dewata
Cengkar. He was a very cruel king. He ordered his people to pay tax on
everything they had. Farmers had to pay tax on their land. Merchant had to
pay high tax for their profit. Workers had to pay tax on their salary and
wages. Even poor people had to pay tax. And if they had no money to pay
tax then they had to work for the king without any payment. The money was
not for the welfare of the people for for the kings private matters. Worse
still, the kings official were very corrupt. When they took one hundred from
the people then they gave only eighty for the king. They took it for
themselves. As a result the king was very very rich while his people were
very poor. Besides that the king also like to eat the flesh of human being!
This habit started when he was a child. One day his mother made a mistake
while she was cooking. She accidentally cut her thumb and blood spit on the
food. Her maid then continue cooking without knowing that blood and a
small piece of her mothers flesh was in the food. When Dewata Cengkar ate
the food he really like it. Then he found out the reason. Since that day he
demanded the flesh of human being as part of his food. So his army killed
people every day for his food. When he was adult and became king this
habit grew. He ordered every chief of a district to sacrifice young and
healthy people for the king to consume. Consequently the people of Java
diminished. The people were restless but they did not dare to rebel because
the king was very cruel and his army was very strong.

Until one day someone named Aji Saka came to Java. He had two guards.
Their name were Dora and Sembada. Before coming to Java they landed in a
small island in the north of Java, called Pulau Majeti. After several days there
Aji Saka decided to go to Java. Aji Saka left his weapon, a powerful
traditional dagger called Kris there. He told Dora to stay in the island of
Majeti to guard his Kris. And he told Dora not to give it to any body else.
After that he went to Java with Sembada.

Then he settled in Java as a merchant. The people of Java told him about his
sorrow because of Dewata Cengkars cruelty and injustice rule. Aji Saka was
very concerned to the sorrow of Javanese people. He told the chief of the
district where he settled to send him as sacrifice when the king wanted to
eat people. So the chief send him to king Dewata Cengkar.

As his turn came to became sacrifice, Aji Saka asked to say his last words to
the king. The king granted him opportunity to speak.
O, great king of Java. The father of development of Java. The one who
make people live prosperous life. The richest man in the world. I am
honored to demand your Majesty one last wish before I die

Tell me what you want

Your Majesty the great king of Java, I just want a piece of land, the same
size as my turban

I grant it. Just spread your turban

Then Aji Saka put off his turban and put it on the ground. Aji Saka hold one
side of it and asked the king to hold the other side. Amazingly it became
larger so Dewata Cengkar had to step back. And everytime it became larger
and larger so Dewata Cengkar finally stood at a beach. Aji Saka kincked him
to the sea and and he died. The Javanese people were very happy to hear
the cruel king had died. They were very thankful to Aji Saka and elected him
as the new king of Java.

Aji Saka remembered that one of his guard, Dora was still in the island of
Majeti. As he was a king, it was impossible for him to go there. So he told
Sembada to go there and bring his kris back. So Sembada went to Majeti
island. As he got there he told Dora that Aji Saka asked him to take the kris.

His Majesty King Aji Saka ordered me to take the kris to Java

Maybe you make mistake. Aji Saka is our superiot but he is not a king. And
he told me not to give his kris to any boldy else. It is my duty to guard it
here until he came back and take it

It is my duty to take the kris.

It is my duty to guard it

The dialogue came to a dead lock so the tension grew. Then it became on
armed conflict. Finally both of them were killed. Several days later Aji Saka
was shocked to hear the news that they both died. Since that day he created
an alphabet, a Javanese alphabeth based on their story. Here is the
alphabeth. It is like a poem. The poem consist of four lines. Each line
consist of one sentence. Each sentence consist of a combination of
characters. All characters are pronounced like hall. Here is the poem.

Ho (h) , No (n), co (c), ro (r) ko (k).

Do (d) to (t) so (s) wo (w) lo (l)
Po (p) do (d) jo (j) yo (y) nyo (ny)
Mo (m) go (g) bo (b) to (t) ngo (ng)
Hono = there is / there are in English, coroko = envoy

Do to so wolo = bring a letter / matter

Po do jo yo nyo = they are equally powerful

Mogo botongo = they are killed.

These characters are used widely by the Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese and
Madurese. But today only very few people can read it. Thats why in the
province of Yogyakarta it is taught at schools.

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in the coastal area of Sumatra, lives a poor family. The
family had a kid named Malin Kundang. Due to very poor condition of their
families, Malin kundang's father decided to go to the country side.

Malin kundang and his mother hope that he could bring some money and
support their daily needs. Time after time, they wait for him, but he did not
come. They even believed that he is already dead.

Feeling sad, Malin kundang thought that he could make a living in the
country side in the hope that later on when returning to my hometown; he
has become a very rich. Finally Malin kundang go sailing along with a
merchant ship captain in his hometown that has been successful.

During his stay on the ship, Malin kundang lot to learn about seamanship on
the crew that has been experienced. Malin studied hard on his friends
shipping on more experienced, and ultimately he's very good at shipping.

Many islands have been, up to a day in the middle of the trip, suddenly Malin
kundang ships were attacked by pirates. All merchandise traders who were
on the ship seized by pirates. Even most of the crew and people on the ship
were killed by the pirates. Malin kundang very lucky he was not killed by the
pirates, because when it happened, Malin immediately hid in a small space
enclosed by the timber.

Malin Kundang floats amid sea, until finally the host ship stranded on a
beach. With the rest of the existing power, Malin Kundang walked to the
nearest village from the beach. Arriving in the village, Malin Kundang told the
ntives about the incident that happened to him. Malin village where villagers
stranded is very fertile. With tenacity and perseverance in work, over time
Malin had become a very rich. He has many fruit merchant ships with the
children of more than 100 people. After becoming rich, Malin Kundang marry
a girl to become his wife.

After a long marriage, Malin and his wife make the voyage with a large and
beautiful ship with the crew and a lot of bodyguards. Malin kundangs wife
want to know his husbands hometowns. In the other side, poor Malin
kundang mothers was worried about his son, and goes to the beach
everyday, hope that her son will be back from the journey. She saw a very
beautiful ship landed on the town harbour. Malin's mother who always checks
every ship that arrived, hoping there is his son among the passenger,
surprised to see a man. She founds out that he is her son Malin kundang.

Malin Kundang stepped down from the ship. Once close enough, his mother
saw the birthmarks on Malin kundangs arm. She is now convinced that Malin
is her son. Missed so much, she hug his son and asked "Malin Kundang, my
son, why did you go so long without sending any news to me?". Arrogantly,
Malin immediately released her mother's arms and pushed him up to fall.
"Old women, I do not know who you are" said Malin Kundang at his mother.
Malin Kundang pretended not to recognize her mother, because of shame
with her mother who is old and wearing tattered clothes. "She was your
mother?" Malin's wife asks him. "No, he was just a beggar who pretended to
be admitted as a mom to get my property".

Hearing statement and treated arbitrarily by his son, the mother of Malin
kundang is very angry. He did not expect him to be rebellious child. Because
anger is mounting, Malin's mother tipped his hand, saying "Oh God, if he my
son, I curse him became a stone." Malin's mother goes away with sad
feelings. Knowing that his only son, which she always loves and missed all
days, come and treat her like that.

Malin kundang and his crew departed shortly after visiting the
hometown.Soon after departed, the calm, nice weather suddenly changed.
The winds roared fierce and storms come to destroy the ship Kundang. Malin
himself knows that it might be the curse from his own mother. That makes
Malin prays, to beg a mercy from the God. The ship are destroyed and
dumped into the beach. Malin's body and the shipwrecks scattered. After
that Malin' body slowly becomes rigid and in time they finally shaped into a
rock. Malin's mothers feel sorry about her son's fate. But it was too late.

In moslem tradition, it is believed that prays from the parents are easily
granted by God, either bad or goods. This story told people to be humbles
and do not forget his family after being successful, the story also told the
parents that they must not easily pray a bad things to their children, and
guide their children with care and lots of patients.
 The Lagend Of Bromo Mountain

Long long time ago there lived a couple in the village near the top of mount
Bromo. Joko Seger is his name. He lived peacefully with his wife Roro Anteng.
But they were not happy because after some time they did not have any
children. Then Joko Seger meditated in mount Bromo asking for god to give
them children.

Some times later Joko Seger had a dream. In his dream he was told that he
would have descendants but on one condition. The god asked him to
sacrifice his children to the crater of mount Bromo. If he refused to sacrifice,
then the god will be angry. Without thinking twice Joko Seger agreed to the
condition.

After that every year Roro Anteng gave birth to twenty five children. They
were very happy and they loved their children so much that they were
reluctant to sacrifice them to the crater. They did not give anything to the
crater. Then something happened.

One day there was a big eruption of mount Bromo. Smoke, fire, hot cloud of
ash came out of its crater. The earth was trembling. The sky was dark.
Animals ran away from the mountain. People were very scared since some of
them became victims of the hot cloud.
Joko Seger and Roro Anteng remembered their promise to god. He realized
that god was very angry. So he decided to sacrifice one of his sons. Then he
went to the crater with his youngest son Kusuma. Because Joko Seger did not
really want to sacrifice his son to the crater, he tried to hide him. But
suddenly an eruption began and made Kusuma fall.

Afterwards, Kusuma, who had fell to the crater, gave a voice, "I have to be
sacrificed by my parents so that you will all stay alive. From now on, you
should arrange an annual offering ceremony on the 14th of Kesodo (the
twelfth month of Tenggerese calender.)"

Since then on Joko Seger and Roro Anteng gave offerings to the crater. Every
year on the 14th day of the month of Kesada the people of Tengger held a
ceremony to give offerings.

The Legend Of Banyuwangi City

Banyuwangi is a name of a district in the province of east Java, Indonesia. It

is located in the earternmost part of the island of Java, next to Bali. Bali strait
is between Banyuwangi and the island of Bali. The culture of Banyuwangi is
unique because it is a blend of Javanese, Balinese and Madurese influence.
Here is a well known legend about Banyuwangi.

Long time ago Banyuwangi was called Blambangan. It was a kingdom under
a wise king who had a handsome and smart son. Raden Banterang was his
name. He liked hunting very much. He often went to forest around
Blambangan to hunt for animals. One day when he was in a forest he saw a
deer. He chased it and the deer ran deeper into the forest. His horse was so
good and strong that he left his guards behind. Unfortunately he lost the
deer. As he took a rest under a big banyan tree suddenly a lovely lady
appeared in front of him. Raden Banterang was very surprised to see a
beautiful girl alone in the forest. He was suspicious that she was not a human
being. So he asked her.

'Excuse me lovely lady, do you live around here?'

'No, I don't. I'm from Klungkung, Bali. My name is Surati. I'm a princess, the
daughter of the king of Klungkung. I need your help'

'I will gladly help you, but please tell me what your problem is'

'I'm in danger. There was a rebellion in Klungkung. The rebel killed my father
but I could escape. My guards took me here but I lose them. Now I'm alone. I
don't know where to go. I have no relative here. Please help me'

'You are coming to the right person. I'm prince Banterang from the kingdom
of Blambangan. I will protect you. Please come with me.'

Then Raden Banterang took Surati home. He fell in love with her and then
several months later he married her. One day when Surati was in the street
he met a man. The man called him. 'Surati, Surati'

She was surprised to realize that the man was her brother Rupaksa. Rupaksa
told her that it was Raden Banterang who killed their father. He came to
Blambangan to take revenge and asked surati to join him. Surati was
shocked but she refused to join.

'I'm really shocked to hear the news. But I'm not sure. Raden Banterang is
now my husband. He's very kind to me. He never hurts me. He's protecting
me. As a good wife I will never betray him. It is my duty to serve him.'

'But he killed our father'.

'It is hard for me to believe it. When I met him he was here, not in Klungkung'
Rupaksa was disappointed with her sister. He was also very angry to her.'OK
then. I have to go now. But please keep my head dress. Put it under your
pillow' Rupaksa gave his head dress to his sister Surati. To respect her older
brother Surati put it under her pillow. Several days later Raden Banterang
was hunting in a forest when he met a man that looked like a priest. The man
greeted him politely. Then he said something. 'Your life is in danger.
Someone has an evil intention to you'

'Who is he?'

"Your wife Surati'

"Surati? How do you know?'

'I am a priest. I have clear spiritual vision. I just want to save you. Search her
room. If you find a head dress under her pillow then my words are correct. It
is from a man who will help her kill you' 'Thank you your Holiness'

Raden Banterang was shocked. He was very angry to his wife then he
immediately went home. When he got to the palace he immediately
searched Surati's bed room. As he found the head dress under her pillow he
was sure that the priest was right.
'You are unfaithful wife. I know that you want me dead. This is the evidence.
This is from a man who will help you kill me. Tell me who he is' Surati was
shocked and cried.

'It is my brother's head dress. I met him several days ago when you went
hunting. He gave me his head dress and told me to put it under my pillow. So
I put it there to respect him. It is him who want to kill you, not me'

But Raden Banterang did not trust her. He gave her a death sentence. He
took his wife to a river bank as he would stab his wife and throw her body
into the river.

'Before I die, let me say a few words'

'Please do'

'After I die, just throw my body into the river. If the water become dirty and
smelly, it means that I am guilty. But if the water become clear and fragrance
come out of it, it means

that I am innocence'.

Then as Raden Banterang would stab her wife with a kris Surati threw herself
into the river. Amazingly the water became clear and fragrance came out of
it. Surati was innocent! Raden Banterang regretted his emotional behavior.
Since then on he changed the name of his kingdom into Banyuwangi. Banyu
means water and Wangi menas fragrance.

The Soul in The Mountain Rice

TISNA WATI lived with her father, Batara Guru, in the god's heaven. Now
Tisna Wati was a most beautiful and charming little goddess, but she wasn't
at all happy in the gods 7 heaven.

Sometimes, when she looked down at the earth, far below her, and saw
people busy at their various tasks, she would sigh, "Oh, if only I could be an
ordinary mortal!" And when her father had gone forth to do battle with the
giants and the demons of the air, she would mourn because she could not go
with him. When he came back, she would be pouting and out of humor.
One day, when she was especially surly, her father lost his temper. "Come
here!" he ordered in a stem voice. "Your grumbling and your silly whims
annoy me, and nothing would please me better than to send you down to
earth to become an ordinary mortal. Alas, I cannot do that because you have
drunk of the life-water and are immortal. But I have thought of something
else for you. Til choose one of the young gods to be your husband, and he
will soon teach you to get over your bad moods!"

"Oh, I already know of someone who could be my husband, Father/' the little
goddess cried happily.
"Who can that be?" her father demanded. "Not one of those awful air giants,
I hope. Because I absolutely forbid you to marry the son of one of my
enemies."

"Oh, no, Father, it's not one of the buatas. And he doesn't live in the air, nor
in the gods 7 heaven, either. He lives on the earth. Look down . . . you can
see him now. He's that handsome young man who is plowing the rice field
that lies on the side of the hill."

"But that's the son of a man!" her father said angrily. "He's an ordinary
mortal! You can't marry him; you are the daughter of a god! You shall never
marry him. I won't permit it!"

"But I will marry him!" Tisna Wati shrieked, stamping her tiny foot. "I will
never marry anyone else. He shall be my husband even if I have to leave this
place forever."

"And I say that you shall never marry him!" her father stormed. "I'd rather
change you into a rice stalk. And let me tell you that just as soon as possible
I will choose a son of one of the gods to be your husband. Do you
understand?"

When Tisna Wati saw how angry her father was, she was afraid that her fate
would be the same as that of Dewi Sri, the lovely wife of the great god
Vishnu, who disobeyed her husband and was killed by him and changed into
a rice stalk. It was her deathless spirit that lived in the fields of rice, the
sawahs.

But Tisna Wati was not as meek as Dewi Sri. She would never let herself be
changed into a rice stalk. And certainly she would never, never marry a son
of one of the gods! She had set her heart on the handsome young mortal,
plowing his fields on the hillside. Egrly the next day her father left to seek a
husband for her. But just as he was setting out, word came to him that the
giants of the air and the evil demons were threatening the gods again, and
he would have to go to war against them.

"When I come back, however, bring your husband with me," he said to his
daughter.
Tisna Wati said meekly, 'Very well, Father." But as soon as he had left, she
leaped on the wings of the wind and was floated down to earth. The wind
was kind to her and took her close to the hillside where the young man was
plowing his rice field.
Tisna Wati said to herself, "Now I can really see him close/' And she sat down
on the slope of the hill to wait for the young man to notice her.

When he turned at the end of a row, he saw her. And he thought she was as
beautiful as a vision. He came to her and said, wonderingly, ''What are you
looking for, lovely maiden?'

"I'm looking for my husband/ Tisna Wati answered, laughing.

It was such a strange answer that the young man began to laugh, too, and
they laughed together. They laughed because they were happy and in love,
and the sound of their laughter rose to the heavens. That was their undoing.

For when their voices reached the place where Tisna Wati's father was
battling against the giants and the demons, he heard it. He stopped and
listened. That was his daughter's voice! And the voice of a strange young
man! He bent and looked toward the earth . . . and there he saw his
daughter, sitting beside a handsome young man, and their joyous laughter
was louder to him than the noise of battle.

Raving with anger, Batara Guru gave up the battle with his enemies and flew
down to earth. When he came to the hillside where his daughter sat beside
the young man, he thundered, "Come with me at once! I'm taking you back
to the gods' heaven."

But Tisna Wati had no desire to return to the gods' heaven. She was in love
with the young man, and her love was stronger than her father's will.

"No," she said firmly, "I am never going back. I'd rather become an ordinary
mortal and stay here on earth with my beloved."

"Then stay you shall!" her father roared angrily. "But not as the daughter of a
god, and not as a mortal, either! You shall become a rice stalk and your spirit
shall become one with this rice field." Even as he spoke, Tisna Wati changed
from a goddess into a slim rice stalk.

When the slender rice stalk bent toward the young man, he stroked it with
loving fingers. His plowing was forgotten, everything was forgotten, and in
his sorrow he could only gaze at the graceful stalk that had been his beloved
Tisna Wati.

When Batara Guru saw this, he was overcome with remorse. "I could have
left them together," he said. "Now I cannot change her back . . . she must
remain a rice stalk forever, for her spirit is already here in this rice field. But
perhaps I could change him into a rice stalk, too/'

When he had done this, he saw how the two stalks bent toward each other,
as if they were telling how much they loved one another. He watched them a
while, and shook his great head. "It is well/' he muttered to himself, and flew
back to the gods' heaven.
And ever since that day, the story says, the spirit of Tisna Wati has been in
the mountain rice, just as the spirit of Dewi Sri is in the sawah rice. But
where the spirit of the handsome young man went, no one knows.