Sunday 26 July 2020

Raja Kelana Swandana (The Origin of Reog Ponorogo)

It is said that the lion form of Reog Ponorogo is the incarnation of King Singabarong. Here is the story. It is Dewi Sanggalangit, a daughter of the king of Kediri, who is famous for her beauty. There have been many princes and kings who are interested in editing him as a wife, but he always refused on the grounds that he did not have the desire to get married. His parents urged his daughter to get married soon. They want to immediately pet grandchildren.
The Origins of Reog Ponorogo


Wanting to make her parents happy, Dewi Sanggalangit finally agreed to get married on condition that she was entertained by an interesting spectacle that had never existed before. She explained that this spectacle must be in the form of a dance accompanied by gamelan music, accompanied by a row of twin horses, and also that there must be a two-headed animal.

The Contest To Marry Dewi Sanggalangit

Happy with his daughter's willingness to get married, Raja Kediri then held a contest for whoever was able to give the spectacle requested by Dewi Sanggalangit, so he would be married to his daughter.

After the competition was announced, applicants flocked to register to take part in the contest. But after learning the tough conditions, many of them finally resigned. Except for two people who felt able to meet the requirements requested, namely Raja Singabarong from the Kingdom of Lodaya and Raja Kelana Swandana from the Kingdom of Bandarangin.

King Singabarong's rivalry with Kelana Swandana

Raja Singabarong is a strange-looking human, that is, a tiger-head and bushy hair which is filled with fleas. That is why he maintains a peacock who is diligently pecking at the fleas. In addition to his strange form, Raja Singabarong also has a savage and cruel nature.

While Kelana Swandana is a king who has a handsome and handsome face, but he likes boys.

Raja Singabarong called his governor named Iderkala. He was sent to investigate his rival, Kelana Swandana. After that, the Patih rushed to the Kingdom of Bandarangin to investigate. After a few days, he returned to report.

The Patih reported if all the conditions proposed by the Princess were successfully prepared, except for the two-headed animal. Hearing that, Singabarong panicked. He also ordered his soldiers to attack the Kingdom of Bandarangin. Singabarong intends to seize the results of Kelana Swandana's efforts.

Once ready, Singabarong ordered several spies to investigate Kelana Swandana's travel route. However, the spy was captured by Bandarangin soldiers. After learning about Singabarong's plans, Kelana Swandana hurriedly attacked the Lodaya Kingdom.

At that time, Singabarong was sleeping in the royal garden because the comfort of the head lice was pecked at by his peacock. Outside the palace, Bandarangin's forces defeated Lodaya's warriors. At that time, only Singabarong woke up. Meanwhile, the peacock still pecked the lice on Singabarong's head.

When about to observe the situation, Singabarong was intercepted by Kelana Swandana. With her magic, Kelana Swandana Turned Singabarong into a tiger. But the tiger head also has a peacock head.

The Origins of Reog Ponorogo

Soon, Kelana Swandana brought Singabarong incarnation animals to fulfill the conditions determined by Dewi Sanggalangit. Seeing everything requested by Kelana Swandana, Dewi Sanggalangit was willing to be married. Over time, the arts created by Kelana Swandana are known as Reog Ponorogo. Thus a short story from East Java about the origin of Reog Ponorogo.

This is a folklore from East Java about Raja Kelana Swandana or the origin of Reog Ponorogo art. 

More folklore on East Java:

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