11 Folklore From Central Java

The following is a collection of Indonesian folklore, folktales, fairy tales, and legends in the midst of the javanese people of Central Java Province.

The province of Central Java has its capital in the city of Semarang, located in the central part of the island of Java, bordering the provinces of West Java, East Java and Yogyakarta.

Many Javanese folklore from Central Java are popular in Indonesia such as Timun Mas, Rawa Pening, the Origin of Salatiga and other stories.

Central Javanese folklore are collected from various sources. If there is a new story, it will be added soon. I hope it will be useful.

Credit: Daniel Julie, flickr, creativecomon, wikimedia.

11. The Origin of Mount Merapi

According to folklore in Central Java, long ago the island of Java was not yet inhabited by humans. At that time, the island of Java was still in the form of wilderness inhabited by wild animals and supernatural beings. Only a few parts of the island of Java are inhabited by humans in groups and move around because of their unfriendly natural conditions. Human inhabitants of the island of Java who are still few in number do not know that the condition of the island of Java at that time tilted to the south.

10. The Origin of the Name of Lemah Gempal

The following is a Central Javanese folklore about the origin of the name Lemah Gempal, an area in Semarang. During the Dutch period, Semarang was often hit by floods given the location of Semarang which is near the beach. Besides that, in the middle of the city also flows a big river. The frequent arrival of the flood disaster certainly makes Semarang residents uneasy, especially when the rainy season arrives. When the floods arrived, many of the residents' assets were washed away.

9. Kanjeng Ratu Kidul

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul or also known by the name of Nyi Roro Kidul is a mandraguna magic ruler of the southern coast of Java island. According to Central Javanese folklore, at first she was a princess of Raja Munding Wangi named Kadita's daughter who was driven out of the kingdom.

8. The Origin of the Name of the City of Salatiga

The origin of the name Salatiga City, Central Java, 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.

7. The Legend of Rawa Pening

According to the folklore of Central Java, the legend of Rawa Pening relates to the story of a young man named Jaka Baru Klinting. As we know, Rawa Pening is a lake tourism object located in Semarang Regency, Central Java. Now the Lake Rawa Pening is overgrown by water hyacinth plants. Residents used to use it as a craft material such as bags, belts, wallets and so forth.

6. Timun Mas

Timun Emas is a folklore of Central Java. Tells the life of Mbok Sirni and his adopted son, Timun Emas, in escaping from the giant. Once upon a time, Mbok Sirni had long desired a child. However, until her husband died, she was not blessed with a child. Although now Mbok Sirni is old, her desire to have a child is not fading. He hopes that there is someone who is kind enough to give him a child to care for him.

5. Jaka Tarub

The story of Jaka Tarub and Dewi Nawang Wulan is a Central Javanese folklore enshrined in the Babad Tanah Jawi, a collection of Javanese texts - in the form of Javanese poetry. The Chronicle of Tanah Jawi contains the history of kings who once ruled in Java from the Syailendra Dynasty, Sanjaya Dynasty, Medang Kamulan Dynasty, Kahuripan Dynasty, Janggala, Kadiri, Singhasari Dynasty, Majapahit, Demak, Pajang, to the Islamic Mataram kingdom.

4. The Story of Ande Ande Lumut

Once upon a time, ancient times in the area of ​​Central Java stood the kingdom of Jenggala. The King has a crown prince named Raden Putra. Raden Putra already has a wife named Dewi Candra Kirana. Dewi Candra Kirana is known for her beautiful face.

3. The Legends of Sikidang Crater

Dieng is a plateau in Central Java consisting of two or more volcanoes. Dieng has many craters and other small peaks. One of the craters is called Sikidang Crater. Sikidang Crater is famous because the gas outlet always moves like a deer (in Javanese, Kidang). Another unique thing is, some Dieng residents have dreads. It is said that they are children of Shinta Dewi's daughter.

2. The Legend of Aji Saka

According to the folklore of the Central Java region, Aji Saka was a handsome young man again defending commoners from the cruelty of the Cengkareng and cruel God King Cengkar. Once upon a time in Central Java there was a kingdom named Medang Kemulan. The kingdom of Medang Kemulan was led by a king named Dewata Cengkar. Raja Dewata Cengkar was known as a cruel king.

1. The Legend of Baturaden

Baturaden means servant and nobleman. Derived from the word "batur" which means maid and "raden" which means noble. According to Central Javanese folklore, Baturaden is a love story between Suta, a horse nurse belonging to Duke of Kutaliman and the daughter of Duke of Kutaliman who is of royal blood.