Sixteen Indonesian Folklores

By Bambang Udoyono

Majapahit was a prosperous kingdom in old Java.  One day a small kingdom of Blambangan rebelled. The troops of Blambangan was so strong that the capital of Majapahit was in danger.

The king of Blambangan gave an ultimatum to surrender to the queen of Majapahit.  The hope of Majapahit was small.

But the queen of Majapahit received a message from God to rely on Damar wulan, a village boy.  She ordered Damar Wulan to attack the king of Blambangan in his palace.

Complicated political conflict followed.  Do not miss the story of political conflict in old Java.

This is one of the sixteen stories in this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bambang Udoyono
• Release date: Jun 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201734343

Bambang Udoyono

Bambang Udoyono is a writer, a tourist guide and a tour leader.  He conducts inbound tours to Indonesia and outbound tours abroad. He writes books on tourism, English, and culture.  Based on his experience he writes this book.

Book preview

Introduction

When I was a kid my father would tell me many stories.  Some of them are Indonesian and mostly came from the island of Java. Some of them came from India. The Indian epic of Mahabarata and Ramayana had been translated into old Javanese language more than one thousand years ago.  But my ancestors did not just translate the Indian epic. They also wrote their own stories.  Some of them are based on Indian ones but some of them with the local setting.  In this book I present those stories in my own words. 

The first story here (When ambition overpass brotherhood : The Story of Sumantri and Sukosrono) is a story based on the Indian epic of Ramayana but then the Javanese writer had added details to it so it has its own characteristic. It revolves around the two brothers named Sumantri and Sukosrono. It is a tragic story.  The second one (Blind ambition reaps a bitter harvest) is based on an Indian epic. Like the previous one the Javanese writer in the past had added details. At the moment it is used by the Javanese people to play the traditional theater called wayang kulit which means leather puppet show. The third one (Struggle for power in east Java) is an original Javanese story. It is about a political conflict in a powerful kingdom in the 13th century. It is the story of Damar Wulan, a local hero. The fourth one (The Legend of Banyuwangi) is a popular story from east Java, Indonesia. The fifth one (The legend of Toba lake).  The sixth one (The tragedy of Durna and Drupada) is from the Indian epic of Mahabarata. In Java today it is a popular story for traditional Javanese leather puppet theater. The seventh one (The tragedy of Japarana and Layonsasri) is a floktale from Bali. The eighth one (The legend of Rara Jonggrang) one is a popular folktale from central Java and Yogyakarta.  The ninth one (The epic of Arjuna Wiwaha) is written by a Javanese writer in the 11th century. It is based on characters of the Indian epic of Mahabarata.  The tenth one (The legend of Mount Tangkuban Perahu) is a popular folktale from west Java, Indonesia. The eleventh one (A princess blinded by ambition) is another folktale from the same area.  The twelfth one (Mount Bromo and its legend) is a folktale from east Java. The thirteenth one (The Joyoboyo prophecy from Java) is from central Java and east Java.  The fourteenth one (The emergence of Bali strait) is a popular folktale from Java. The fifteenth one (Petruk the erratic king) is a Javanese story which is a satire of an incompetent leader.  It is still very popular for traditional leather puppet shows. The sixteenth one (The Story of Garuda from Kidal temple) is a story from the walls of a small Hindu temple in east Java. 

I hope you enjoy these stories.

1. WHEN ambition overpass brotherhood, The Story of Sumantri and Sukosrono

Sumantri and Sukosrono were brothers.  Sumantri was the eldest son of Begawan Suwondo, a priest who lived in a small village in the country of Maespati.  He was a handsome and smart boy.  Begawan Suwondo taught his two sons with knowledge of religion, archery, martial art and literature.  His second son was very different from his first son.  Sukosrono looked very ugly.  He was a midget and his face looked like a demon.  Worse still Sukosrono could not speak well. His articulation was not perfect.  When he addresses his brother he just says, ‘Ati’ which means brother Sumantri.  Suwondo loved them both although they had very different conditions.  Sumantri also loved his brother very much.  So did Sukosrono.  They were very close.  They often hunted for animals in the forest nearby their village. 

When Sumantri had passed all the knowledge that his father taught him, Suwondo told him that he had to leave.  Suwondo told Sumantri that he had to work for the king in the capital.  The king who ruled the country at the time was King Harjuno Sosrobahu.  He was a mighty king.  It was said that the king was the reincarnation of god Wisnu.  When he was angry he could change himself into a giant, a demon that was as big as seven mountains.

Actually it was hard for Sumantri to leave his brother.  He knew that Sukosrono could not live without him.  Sukosrono was also a smart boy but because of his ugly look everybody was afraid of him.  He depended on Sumantri so it was almost impossible for Sukosrono to live without Sumantri.  Sumantri also knew that it was impossible to take Sukosrono to the capital but his father insisted.  Suwondo told Sumantri that it was his duty to serve the nation as a satria (knight).  He had to leave to follow his destiny as a satria.

Sumantri had no choice but to obey his father.  So one day, he left his father and brother very early in the morning when Sukosrono was still sleeping.  When Sukosrono woke up, as usual he searched for his elder brother.  He searched everywhere but Sumantri was nowhere to be found.  He kept on searching the whole day but Sumantri disappeared like smoke.  He asked everybody in the village but nobody could answer him.  Finally he asked his father.  Sukosrono was shocked when his father told him that Sumantri left for the capital to work for the king.

Why didn’t you tell me?

I am afraid you will not let him go

But I think it is better for you to tell me so I won’t be shocked like this

I know it is hard for you to live without him but you have to realize that it will happen someday, sooner or later.  So you have to learn to overcome your feelings.  From now on, try to be independent.  You are a big boy now.  You have to be able to live by yourself

Sukosrono is still disappointed.  He went everywhere to search for his brother.  He called his brother’s name continuously while crying.  It was a touching scene for everybody who saw him.

Meanwhile Sumantri walked to the capital of Maespati alone.  After several days walking he arrived in the palace.  Soon he told the guard that he would apply to become a soldier. The next day he had to do a test.  Sumantri was a good fighter and he was so smart that he did well on the test. Then he had to do the final test.  This time the king himself would give him an assignment.  So he had an audience with the king.  The king told him that he was assigned to conquer several countries.  If he can conquer many countries, the king will give him a high position in the army.

Without hesitation Sumantri invaded the neighboring countries.  He could easily beat their army. So they became vassals of Maespati.  He brought their kings to have an audience with King Harjuno Sosrobahu.  The King was very satisfied with Sumantri’s achievement. Consequently he appointed him as an officer in the army. 

Then the king gave him another assignment.  Sumantri had to find eight hundred beautiful girls who would become assistants of his wife.  Sumantri once again succeeded.  After that the king’s wife asked for a park called Taman Argasoka which is located in the palace of god Wisnu. 

The