HISTORY OF BANYUWANGI
A legend recounts how the town of Banyuwangi got its name.
Based on a traditional Javanese poem, or kidung, which was probably composed sometime during the 14th century, the story is about the ill fated lovers Sidapaksha and his beautiful wife Sri Tanjung.
One version from Banyuwangi goes something like this:
Sidapaksha, a nobleman in the service of the king of Sindureja, married a woman of lower caste named Sri Tanjung. The union, however, was unacceptable to Sidapaksha’s mother, who felt that her son had married someone whose status was beneath his. In order to destroy the relationship, therefore, she arranged with the king to have Sidapaksha sent away on a long and difficult mission to Mt. Ijen. His task was to search for a legendary flower, possession of which would grant eternal youth to its owner. He was to bring back the flower and present it to the queen. Sadly but dutifully the young man obeyed the king’s command, knowing that he would probably be away for a long time and would thus be unable to witness the birth of his first child. Not long after Sidapaksha’s departure, Sri Tanjung gave birth to a baby boy. The wicked mother-in-law, however, seeing an opportunity to fulfill the second part of her plan, stole the child while Sri Tanjung was bathing and cast the infant into the river which flowed nearby. Then, when Sidapaksha returned after some months, successful in his mission, she informed him that Sri Tanjung herself had murdered his son.
In anger, Sidapaksha immediately confronted his wife and demanded an explanation, threatening to kill her. Sri Tanjung, by now already weak and sick from grief, simply asked her husband to carry her to the river, where she would prove her innocence. Uncertain as to who to believe, Sidapaksha eventually agreed to his wife’s request and took her to the river bank, from where she threw herself into the water and drowned. Then, a few moments later, when Sidapaksha sat in anguish on the bank, two pure white, sweet smelling flowers floated by and told him the true story, after which they vanished, leaving only their fragrance; hence the name banyu (water), wangi (sweet smelling).
Although nowadays Blambangan is the name given to the peninsula encompassing the South Banyuwangi National Park, it was in the past a kingdom of its own right, extending almost as far as the Tengger Range and Mt. Bromo. Historically, it was the last size able kingdom to withstand the pressure of Islam and did not officially convert until the 17th century. Even today this part of Java supports a fairly large Hindu community, which celebrates the traditional holidays of Nyepi, Galungan and Kuningan in much the same way as in Bali.
Vestiges of the ancient culture of Blambangan can be seen in the Gandrung and Seblang dances, which are still performed, although in an adapted form, on ceremonial and festive occasions. The former is a classical dance in honour of Dewi Sri, Hindu goddess of fertility. Originally performed by men, the last hundred years have seen a change over to female dancers. The Seblang is a sacred dance form which is still found in the villages of Bakungan and Oleh Sari, which lie three and six kilometers respectively from Banyuwangi.
Nyai Roro Kidul is the legendary goddess of the southern ocean, firmly believed in by coastal dwellers and at least accepted by the majority of Javanese. Whatever her origins, which may well date back to the pre-Hindu period, the goddess is a vital force in traditional Javanese culture. So important is she, in fact, that since the founding of the Central Javanese kingdom of Mataram in the 16th century, every sultan of Yogyakarta and Surakarta has sought her protection and has been ‘mystically’ married to her. Her realm extends along the entire southern coast of Java and when it is time to pay tribute to her at the annual sea festivals, official religion has to give way to her demands. The main object of these festivals, or petik laut as they are called in south eastern Java, is to ask for safe passage on the fierce and turbulent ocean, as well as pray for a bountiful catch in the forthcoming year. Well known petik laut occur at Pancer Beach, Pesanggaran in June, as well as at Muncar and Blimbingsari beaches in August. Another festival connected with the sea takes place at Cacalan beach, close to the town of Banyuwangi, in October. Annual Hindu festivals also occur close to the sea. Celebration of Hari Raya Siwa Lastri, Nyepi (Mikiyis), Kuningan and Saraswati can be seen at Grajagan, Pulau Merah (Pesanggaran), Tambakrejo and Lampon Beach (Pesanggaran) respectively. Activities at these festivals typically include ritual bathing, placing of offerings (flowers, fruit, sometimes goats’ heads) and a variety of traditional performances.
Add comment June 16th, 2006