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Friday 23 April 2010

"The Story of Mount Bromo"

This is a legend about the creation of Mount Bromo, a famous mountain in East Java, which is so famous with the beautifulness of sunrise and the panorama on it's peak.

A hundred years ago, during the reign of the last king of Pringgondani (13-14 century AD), Gatotkaca, one of the King's wives gave birth to a girl, Roro Kunti. Later, when it was the time, she got married to Parikesit, a man comes from Brahman (priests) caste. After having married with Parikesit, They decided to take an important decision about their life. Actually, because of an unfortunate situation, they were forced to leave the kingdom. They left anything except their clothes, their lovely horse, and a sword. They wandered with no direction just looking for shelter, prevention, and freedom. Five months wandering with no results, finally, they found an area in the foot of a mountain. Having felt cozy and comfortable with the place where they stood, a place with fresh air, fertile soil, and nice atmosphere, Parikesit and Roro kunti determined to live in. They settled an area in the mountain, named "Tengger", a traditional village that has own characteristic in it’s settlers such as using ancient Javanese language to communicate each other and believing in the Mahayana Hinduism. Their unique was “ Every boys who born in Wage’s day in Javanese Calendar had to use an earring in his left ear. (Until now, the village of tengger is very well known).

For years, they were unhappy because they didn't have a child. They were anxious and always ask to the Gods, “ Why weren’t we given child ?” Roro Kunti and Parikesit pleaded. Then, to make it happen, they climbed the peak of the mountain, prayed to gods. Fortunately, the God of fire heard their prayer. Eventually, Betara Bromo, the God of fire, gave them an agreement, he promised them many children, but they had to sacrifice their youngest children. Without Thinking twice and considering the agreement, they surely agreed. “Fyuuuh...let’s go! We have to announce this great news to the settlers of Tengger”, Parikesit chuckled. Finally, Roro Kunti and Parikesit came home happily; joyful, ecstatic, and delighted.

As time went by, they had 25 children. This is the time that they had to sacrifice the youngest, Kesuma. Because of loving him so much, they attempted to hide him. As a consequence, an eruption happened, No one can avoid the fate, although they had done many efforts. Finally Kesuma fell into the crater. Then his voice heard: "I have to be sacrificed so that you will all stay alive,” Kesuma shouted like a wicked lighting blows the earth. “From now on, you should arrange an annual ceremony on the 14th of Kesodo,” kesuma demanded.

As a result, Kesuma's brothers and sisters held the offering ceremony every year by offering fruits, vegetables, and rice, and meats. This is named sesajen. This has been done until today by Kejawen sects. (The Javanese original religion that mixed with Islam.)

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