Thursday 30 July 2020

The Origin of Salatiga

The origin of the name Salatiga City, Central Java Province, is related to Ki Ageng Pandanaran who was once the Regent of Semarang. When the Sultanate of Demak was still in power in Central Java, Semarang Regency was part of the Sultanate. Semarang Regency is led by Ki Ageng Pandanaran. Ki Ageng Pandanaran is a wealthy merchant. But over time, Ki Ageng Pandanaran was even busy enriching himself, to forget the welfare of his people.
The Origin of the Name of the City of Salatiga


According to folklore from Central Java, Sunan Kalijaga at that time was an advisor to Sultan Demak. He intends to remind Ki Ageng Pandanaran by disguising himself as a grass seller. One time, Sunan Kalijaga came to Ki Ageng Pandanaran. He pretended to offer grass. Ki Ageng agreed to buy the grass but at a low price. Sunan Kalijaga refused because the price was too cheap.

Ki Ageng Pandanaran did not accept. He felt offended by Sunan Kalijaga's refusal. He was very angry and then expelled Sunan Kalijaga. Before leaving, Sunan Kalijaga told Ki Ageng Pandanaran that there was a better way to seek wealth than to hoard wealth that should be the people's right.

"Dear Mr. Regent, rather than hoarding people's property, there are other more honorable ways to look for wealth." said Sunan Kalijaga.

"Who are you? To dare to lecture me? " said the Regent of Semarang.

"Lend me a hoe to show you how to look for treasure." answered Sunan Kalijaga.

Ki Ageng Pandanaran then gave a hoe to Sunan Kalijaga. Soon Sunan Kalijaga was hoeing the ground in front of him. "Prak." a hoe sounded about a hard object. After the object was taken, it turns out it was a lump of gold. Ki Ageng Pandanaran was shocked to witness the incident. He then looked carefully at the face of the grass seller. He tried to guess who exactly the seller of grass. After observing for some time, Ki Ageng gasped when he realized that the grass seller was Sunan Kalijaga. Immediately he knelt apologetically to Sunan Kalijaga. Sunan Kalijaga wisely forgave him. He asked him to re-lead Semarang Regency properly. Sunan Kalijaga then left Ki Ageng Pandanaran.

After the incident, Ki Ageng became guilty. He was very ashamed to have accumulated wealth in an incorrect way. He then decided to give up his position as Regent of Semarang. To make up for his mistakes, he would follow in the footsteps of Sunan Kalijaga to become a religious broadcaster by establishing a boarding school on Mount Jabaikat.

Nyai Ageng who knew of her husband's plan, said she would follow in Ki Ageng's footsteps. Ki Ageng Pandanaran agreed to Nyai Ageng's wishes on condition that he not be able to bring property.

It was time for Ki Ageng and Nyai Ageng's departure to Mount Jabaikat to build a boarding school. Before leaving, Nyai Ageng was busy collecting jewelry for him to carry. He kept it in a bamboo stick. Because of the long wait, finally Ki Ageng Pandanaran departed first to Mount Jabaikat.

Not long after, after finishing collecting jewels to be brought to Mount Jabaikat, Nyai Ageng immediately left following Ki Ageng Pandanaran. But unfortunately, in the middle of the trip three robbers emerged forcing him to hand over all the jewelry in a bamboo stick brought by Nyai Ageng. Because he had no other choice, Nyai Ageng also handed over all the jewelry he had brought to the robbers. He immediately hurried away after her husband on Mount Jabaikat.

Arriving at Mount Jabaikat, Nyai Ageng immediately told of the robbery he experienced. Ki Ageng Pandanaran then advised his wife not to be too greedy with property. He asked his wife to make this incident as a lesson. Ki Ageng then said that at the place where his wife was confronted by the three robbers they would later be named Salatiga, meaning three people were guilty.

More Folklore on Central Java:

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