Monday 20 July 2020

Ciung Wanara

According to the Sundanese oral tradition called Pantun Sunda, long ago Ciung Wanara was a king who led a large kingdom on the island of Java, namely the kingdom of Sunda Galuh whose capital is in Ciamis, West Java today. It is said that at that time the territory of the Galuh kingdom stretched from Hujung Kulon, the western end of the island of Java, to Hujung galuh, which is now the mouth of the Brantas river near the present-day city of Surabaya. This Ciung Wanara folklore tells about blood and culture relations between Sundanese people living in the western part of Java Island and Javanese people living in the central and eastern parts of Java Island.
Ciung Wanara



The Galuh Kingdom

Once upon a time in ancient times, in an area in west Java stood a Kingdom called the Kingdom of Galuh. The Kingdom of Galuh was led by a wise king named Raja Prabu Permana Di Kusumah. The king has two Empresses, the first is Nyimas Dewi Naganingrum and the second is Nyimas Dewi Pangrenyep. The King had long taken care of the kingdom, finally the King decided to become a hermit. To take care of the kingdom of Galuh, Raja Prabu chose to appoint his minister named Aria Kebonan.

Aria Kebonan Becomes the King of Galuh

With his supernatural abilities, King Prabu learned that his minister named Aria Kebonan wanted to become a king. Therefore he also called the minister Aria Kebonan to face.

"Aria Kebonan come here, I want to talk to you." said the king.

"Yes, Your Honor." said Aria Kebonan.

"Listen, Aria Kebonan, I will make you king of Galuh as long as I go to meditate, with the condition that you will rule the kingdom properly and also you must take good care of my two wives. You only have to pretend to the people that Goddess Pangrenyep and Goddess Naganingrum is your wife. " said King Prabu.

"Very well, Your Honor." Aria Kebonan agreed.

"I will change your appearance to be a handsome man. Your name is Prabu Barma Wijaya. Tell the people that the king has become younger and I myself will go to a secret place. Thus you will become king!" said King Prabu.

The new king, Prabu Barma Wijaya alias Aria Kebonan, then announced that he was Prabu Permana Di Kusumah who had changed to be ten years younger. He also announced the change of name from King Permana Di Kusumah to King Barma Wijaya. The palace dwellers and the people of the Galuh kingdom believed the announcement except Uwa Batara Lengser who knew the agreement between the king and the minister of Aria Kebonan.

After being appointed king, Prabu Barma Wijaya became arrogant and ruled the kingdom arbitrarily. He also often mocked Uwa Batara stepped down who could not do anything. He also treated both queens harshly. The two queens always tried to avoid it, except in public when they behaved as if they were the wife of Prabu Barma Wijaya.

Both Empress Pregnant

One night the two empresses dreamed that the moon fell on them. The two empresses then reported their dreams to the king. Prabu Barma Wijaya was scared, because the dream was usually a warning to women who were about to get pregnant. This could not have happened because he had never treated the two empresses as his wives. Uwa Batara Lengser who was informed of this problem then proposed to ask for the help of a hermit named Ajar Sukaresi to explain the strange dream.

"Uwa Batara stepped down, I want to ask you for advice about my problem. The two queens dreamed that the moon fell on them. This is a sign that they will both be pregnant. Even though I never touched them. Now what should I do, Uwa Batara? ” asked Prabu Barma Wijaya.

"Tell you this, Your Majesty. What if we ask for the help of a powerful hermit to explain these strange dreams. The powerful ascetic is named Ajar Sukaresi. " said Uwa Batara.

"Well. Call the hermit to the palace. " said Prabu Barma Wijaya in agreement.

Uwa Batara Lengser then went to the residence of the powerful hermit to invite him to the palace. Actually the hermit was none other than King Prabu Permana Di Kusumah. Once the hermit arrived at the palace, Prabu Barma Wijaya immediately asked about the meaning of the dream.

"Your Majesty, the two queens are expecting a child." answered the ascetic Ajar Sukaresi.

Prabu Barma Wijaya was very angry to hear this because so far he had never touched the two consorts. He then asked, "Are their children female or male?"

"Both are sons, Your Honor." Javanese ascetic Ajar Sukaresi.

Hearing this answer, Prabu Barma Wijaya was very angry. He took his kris and stabbed Ajar Sukaresi. But strange, the kris was bent.

"Why is the King trying to kill me? Does the King want me to die? All right, I'll die."Then the hermit fell to the ground and died.

Prabu Barma Wijaya then kicked his body so hard that he was thrown into the forest. In the forest, the ascetic Ajar Sukaresi's body turned into a large dragon, named Nagawiru.

The Birth of Hariang Banga

A few days after the incident, the two queens became pregnant. Nine months later Dewi Pangrenyep gave birth to a son whom he named Hariang Banga.

One day when King Barma Wijaya visited Dewi Naganingrum who was pregnant, miraculously the fetus in the unborn Naganingrum spoke: "Hi Barma Wijaya, You have forgotten many of your promises. The more You do cruel things, your power will get shorter and shorter. . "

The king was very angry and afraid of the threat of the fetus. He wants to get rid of Dewi Naganingrum and her baby by asking for the help of Dewi Pangrenyep.

"Goddess Pangrenyep, help me get rid of Goddess Naganingrum and her baby." said Prabu Barma Wijaya.

"Good King. I will help." said Dewi Pangrenyep. He wanted to help because he did not want the royal throne to fall into the hands of Dewi Naganingrum's son.

The Birth of Ciung Wanara

Not long after the Empress Dewi Naganingrum will soon give birth. Dewi Pangrenyep hurried to help her. Finally, Dewi Naganingrum gave birth to a baby boy who was no less funny and handsome than her brother Hariangbanga.

Without anyone's knowledge. The newborn baby goddess Naganingrum was exchanged with a puppy. The real baby is put in a basket. Dewi Pangrenyep put down a chicken egg. He then washed the baby into a river.

Prabu Barma Wijaya pretended to be surprised to learn that Dewi Naganingrum gave birth to a puppy. He then ordered the death sentence of Goddess Naganingrum because he had given birth to a puppy, which was considered a curse from the gods. Uwa Batara stepped down who got the order to carry out the execution was unable to refuse it. He brought poor Naganingrum Goddess into the forest, but he didn't have the heart to kill her, he even built a nice hut for her. After the hut was finished, Ki Lengser was forced to leave Naganingrum alone. Before he left, he promised to visit him.

"Sorry Gusti, I got an order to kill Gusti. This is the only thing I can do to protect Gusti. Now Gusti lives in this simple house. I promised to visit Gusti. " said Uwa Batara stepped down. Then he returned to the palace.

Living in a small hut in the middle of the forest alone, Naganingrum really hopes that one day he can meet his biological son. Naganingrum was very sure that she gave birth to a very cute baby boy, not a puppy. He also hopes to return to the Palace and live happily with his family. Ki Lengser immediately returned to the palace. He immediately confronted the king and reported that his task of killing Dewi Naganingrum had been carried out well. To prove that he had done his job, he soaked his weapon with the blood of hunted animals that he encountered in the forest.

Ciung Wanara

In the village of Geger Sunten, on the banks of the Citanduy river, there lived an elderly couple who used to put fish trap cages made of bamboo in the river to catch fish. One morning they went to the river to collect fish trapped in a trap, and were very surprised to find a basket that was stuck in the trap. After opening it, they found an adorable baby.

"Whose baby is this? Very handsome and funny. When viewed from the clothes, this baby is from the royal palace. " They then took the baby home, took care of him and loved him like their own child.

While raising the poor baby, Aki and Nini kept trying to find information about who the baby's parents were. They also heard about the birth of Dewi Naganingrum's son. Finally they concluded that the baby was the son of the king of the Galuh Kingdom.

Imperceptibly, the baby boy they found now had grown into a handsome, smart, brave and brave teenager. The child was given the name Ciung Wanara. They gave the name Ciung Wanara because they had seen a Monkey, which means the color. They also saw a bird which means Ciung. Finally the two agreed that the names of the two animals were merged into the name of their offspring.

Ciung Wanara Goes to the Capital of the Kingdom of Galuh

One day Ciung Wanara was eager to go to the capital of the Galuh Kingdom to wander. Initially, Aki and Nini did not allow. But finally it could not be banned because Ciung continued to force.

"Father, Mother, Ciung is happy living in this forest, but Ciung really wants to feel happyor to the capital of the Kingdom of Galuh. " said Ciung.

"Father and mother love you very much, son. If that is your wish, Father and Mother cannot forbid. I hope Ciung can find your biological parents. " his father said.

"Who are Ciung Father's biological parents?" Ciung asked curiously. Before he left for the capital city of the Kingdom of Galuh, he asked who his real father and mother were.

"Your father is the king of the Galuh Kingdom, while your mother is exiled in the middle of the forest. Go to the royal capital of Galuh to look for your parents. " said Aki. Aki explained that his biological father was a King of the Galuh Kingdom. And his mother was exiled in the wilderness.

"Good, Father and Mother. Cheers, goodbye. Ciung still considers Father and Mother as Ciung's parents. " Hearing this explanation, Ciung Wanara immediately left for the capital city of the Kingdom of Galuh with his favorite Rooster.

Upon arrival in the kingdom of Galuh he met with two Patih men named Purawesi and Puragading. Both Patihs were attracted by Ciung Wanara, because he brought a Rooster. The Patih approached and invited him to compete with the Chicken. Ciung Wanara accepted the challenge from the two Patihs. Cockfighting match held in the middle of the Galuh City square. Good fortune in favor of Ciung Wanara. His favorite Rooster wins the match.

Ciung Wanara's victory was immediately spread throughout the Kingdom. The victory was heard by the King, that there was a Handsome Youth who had a very tough Rooster.

In the Galuh capital, cockfighting is a big sporting event, both the king and the people love it. Raja Barma Wijaya has a big rooster named Si Jeling. The king stated that he would grant any wish to the chicken owner who could defeat the rooster.

Ciung Wanara came to the Palace to meet with the King. His Majesty immediately ordered the guards that Ciung Wanara be brought to face. After dealing with the King, Ciung Wanara also worshiped.

"Hi, young man! What is your name and where are you from?"

"The name of the servant is Ciung Wanara, the son of Aki and Nini Balangantrang from the village of Geger Sunten," Ciung Wanara answered loudly.

"What do you mean coming here?"

"Your Majesty, I have a strange chicken. The mother has a baby for a year. The nest is a candaga. Even more strange, before hatching, this egg was washed away in the river," said Ciung Wanara.

The king remembered Naganingrum who was pregnant for a year. While Dewi Pangrenyep had thought that what was in front of her was the son of Naganingrum. His arrival was about to take revenge.

"You intend to pit Chicken with mine? What's the bet?" asked the Galuh King.

"If my chicken loses, I am willing to give up my life. But on the contrary, if you lose the chicken, I beg you to be given half of the kingdom of Galuh." said Ciung.

Galuh Kingdom Is Divided In Two

Because the Galuh king was sure that his cock would win, Ciung Wanara's bet was approved. His Majesty immediately brought his chicken to the yard and was followed by Ciung Wanara. Cockfighting match also took place with excitement. Initially, Ciung Wanara's rooster looked overwhelmed but suddenly the chicken was fresh and strong again. Finally, easily the King's Chicken lost urgently. Ciung Wanara won the Cockfighting match.

In accordance with the agreement that was agreed upon, Ciung Wanara received a Western country. While the east side by the king was handed over to Hariang banga. Each has a title Prabu.

The crime of Dewi Pangrenyep was exposed

After becoming king, Uwa Batara Lengser told Ciung Wanara that Prabu Barma Wijaya had ordered her to be washed away as a baby and accused her mother of giving birth to a dog. Finally, all the secrets about Ciung Wanara were revealed and all the crimes committed by King Barma Wijaya and Dewi Pangrenyep were revealed. Ki Lengser also told that his biological mother was still alive and alienated in a forest. Ciung Wanara was very happy and immediately picked up her mother, and she picked up her adopted fathers.

Prabu Ciung Wanara after knowing what had been done by Prabu Barma Wijaya and Dewi Pangrenyep towards his mother and himself, immediately formed a special force to capture Barma Wijaya and Dewi Pangrenyep. Without encountering difficulties, both of them were captured and thrown into the palace prison.

Ciung Wanara Civil War with Bangang Bangang

Hariang Banga was very surprised to learn that his beloved mother had been captured by the Prabu Ciung Wanara army and thrown into prison. He devised a plan of resistance, gathered many soldiers and led the fight against his younger brother. In battle, he attacks Ciung Wanara and his followers. Ciung Wanara and Hariang Banga are powerful and highly skilled kings in martial arts. But CiungWanara successfully pushed Hariang Banga to the banks of the Brebes River. The battle continues without anyone winning or losing. Suddenly King Prabu Permana appeared in Kusumah accompanied by Ratu Dewi Naganingrum and Uwa Batara stepped down.

"Hariang Banga and Ciung Wanara! Stop this battle! Pamali fights against your own brother. You are brothers, you are both my children who will rule in this country, Ciung Wanara in Galuh and Hariang Banga in the east of the Brebes river, the new kingdom. River this became the second boundary of the kingdom. I changed its name from the Brebes River to the Pamali River to remind both of you that it is the fight against your own brothers. Let Dewi Pangrenyep and Barma Wijaya be imprisoned for their sins. "

Since then the name of the Brebes river is known as Cipamali (Sundanese) or Kali Pemali (Javanese) which means "Pamali River".

Hariang Banga then moved east. He later became known as Jaka Susuruh. He founded the Javanese kingdom and became the king of Java, and his loyal followers became the ancestors of the Javanese. Ciung Wanara governs the kingdom of Galuh fairly, its people are Sundanese. When returning to the west, Ciung Wanara sang this civil war in the form of Sundanese Pantun, while his brother, Banga Daily, headed east by singing this civil war in the form of song.

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