26 Folklore From East Java

The following is a collection of Indonesian folklorefolktales, fairy tales, and legends that exist in the midst of the javanese people of East Java Province.

East Java Province is a province that has its capital in the city of Surabaya, located east of the island of Java, bordering Central Java Province, Madura Province, and Bali Province.

Many Javanese folklore from East Java are popular in Indonesia such as Reog Ponorogo, Keong Mas, Timun Mas, Origins of Banyuwangi, Cindelaras and other stories.

East Javanese folklore are collected from various sources. If there is a new story, it will be added soon. I hope it will be useful.
Folklore from East Java
Credit: tropenmuseum, creativecommon, wikimedia.

26. The Story of Rangga Gading
The Story of Rangga Gading
Long ago, there lived a young man named Rangga Gading. He is very powerful, but unfortunately often misuses his magic by carrying out robberies and theft. Rangga Gading is a skilled thief, he has never been caught. That is because he has supernatural powers that is, he can transform himself into whatever he wants. He can be transformed into animals, trees, rocks, or water.

25. The Origins of Reog Ponorogo
The Origins of Reog Ponorogo
The following is a folklore of East Java about the origins of Reog Ponorogo art. 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.

24. The Cat's Magical Object
The Cat's Magic Object
Once upon a time, in East Java, there lived a family known as a patient family, Mr. Sabar and Mrs. Sabar. Their lives are very poor. Because they are poor they often don't eat for a day or two because they don't have money to buy food. However, they do not complain and remain patient in life.

23. The Good Name Combination
The Good Name Combination
According to Madurese, if a husband and wife have a good mix of names, then they will get good luck. Such is the belief in Madura. Here follows East Javanese folklore about a Lasmudin and Mukdima couple who are lucky because they have a good mix of names.

22. Mr Mendong and Mrs Mendong
Mr Mendong and Mrs Mendong
The Mendong's family is very poor. Because they are poor, they often do not have money to buy food. Called Mr. Mendong because his daily job is making mat mendong. Helped by his wife, they make mats to sell to the city. They have a small child named Sumi. The boy's body was thin from lack of food. His clothes are tattered. They live in a small hut with a narrow yard.

21. Hi, I already know
Hi, I already know
In the old days there lived a poor grandfather with his little son. His wife died a long time ago. The old man was sad thinking about the fate of his young child. He felt that his life would not be long but he had nothing to pass on to his child other than the knowledge that came from his teacher first.

20. Sandhekala
Sandhekala
According to East Javanese folklore, at dusk, Den Bagus Sandhekala will take a walk. Den Bagus Sandhekala likes to eat tiger heads or thief heads. Den Bagus Sandhekala also likes to eat the heads of children who like to play outside the house at dusk. Den Bagus is a nickname for respected young people, while Sandhekala itself means twilight or dusk.

19. The Origin of Why the River Meanders
The Origin of Why the River Meanders
The Brantas River meanders and the water never runs out. The upstream of the Brantas river is in the Malang area then flows south to Blitar, turns to Kediri and finally turns again to Surabaya. According to East Javanese folklore, why the river meanders and the water is never exhausted is associated with ascetic snakes on the mountains.

18. The Sparrow and The Parrot
The Sparrow and The Parrot
The following is a folklore from East Java about the origin of why the Sparrow bird has a stomach or teleh at the nape of its neck and why the Parrot bird has a bent beak. Once upon a time in the era of the Prophet Sulaiman was going on a famine season. The reason is that many diseases that damage plants cause food is difficult to obtain.

17. The Origin of Why The Teak Trees Are Big
The Origin of Why The Teak Trees Are Big
It is said that in ancient times teak trees were small in size. Not as large as now. The size of the teak tree was enlarged during the kingdom of Medang Kamulan related to King Medang who buried his son alive because he felt ashamed.

16. The Origin of the Word Babah
The Origin of the Word Babah
Javanese people used to call Chinese people as "Babah". According to East Javanese folklore, the origin of the word Babah comes from the word "Mbabah" which means to find a way. That said, this fairy tale was made up by ethnic Chinese in Indonesia to keep a distance from the ethnic Javanese.

15. Tanggungan Village People May Not Eat Tageh Fish
Tanggungan Village People May Not Eat Tageh Fish
During the war against the Dutch Company, Sura Alap Alap was given the role of leader of Rajekwesi in the east. The war between the indigenous warriors and the Company was unbalanced because of the inadequate weaponry of the native forces. Fearing the loss of lives, Sura Alap Alap then ordered all his troops, who were residents of the village, to leave the village.

14. Irapati and a Crocodile
Irapati and a Crocodile
The following is the story of East Javanese folklore that tells the story of Mbah Irapati and a crocodile. Once upon a time in ancient times, lived a mother named Mbah Irapati who was respected by residents along the Yellow River because of having supernatural powers. He has a child. Mbah Irapati loves his child very much.

13. Kyai Bonten and Ki Jalono
Kyai Bonten and Ki Jalono
It is said that in the Kudur hamlet, East Java, if there is a death, then surely two people die at the same time. According to the story, this incident is related to the relationship between Kyai Bonten and Ki Jalono.

12. Kyai Tapiogo
Kyai Tapiogo
Kyai Tapiogo was a Begedhe from Tingan village, East Java. He is from Sendang Darajat. One day, Kyai Tapiogo did alms on earth and invited Begedhe, Kapal village. Begedhe the two villages were initially just chatting normally but gradually the two argued with each other. Finally Begedhe Kapal village lost the debate.

11. The Origin of The Partridge
The Origin of The Partridge
Since long time ago, chickens live side by side with humans. But at one time, there was a chicken family who decided to leave the human village and live in the forest. They are the ancestors of partridge.

10. The Golden Orange Fruit
The Golden Orange Fruit
Previously, he was enthroned by a just and wise king in a kingdom on the island of Java. One time, the king got a wangsit or magical whisper from the gods, that in all the kingdom he ruled there would be a disease. The god whispered that the king had to make a contest for all the people to look for the golden orange fruit as a sacrifice to repel the plague.

9. The Cocky Crow
The Cocky Crow
The following is an East Javanese folklore about an arrogant crow who has never been grateful for what he has until his life ends tragically. Once upon a time, in ancient times, there lived a crow in the wilderness. He lives together with other crows. One day, the crow found a beautiful peacock feather loss. Even though it's only a feather fall, the feathers still look beautiful.

8. Keong Mas
Keong Mas
Keong Mas is a Folk Story originates from East Java. Tells about a daughter of King Daha, Candra Kirana who was cursed by an evil witch's grandmother became a golden conch. The story's background is similar to Raden Inu Kertapati's folklore. So you could say the two stories are just two variations that developed in the community.

7. Damar Wulan and Menakjingga
Damar Wulan and Menakjingga
Damar Wulan is a powerful young man mandraguna. He was instrumental in helping the ruler of the Majapahit Kingdom, Ratu Ayu Kencana Wungu. Damar Wulan defeated Menakjingga, a duke in Blambangan who was powerful and cruel but also often abusive. The legend of Damar Wulan is a regional folklore in East Java.

6. The Origins of the City of Banyuwangi
The Origins of the City of Banyuwangi
The following is the story of the East Java region about the origin of the city of Banyuwangi. Once upon a time, long ago in the eastern tip of East Java there was a large kingdom. The kingdom was ruled by a just and wise king. The King has a dashing son named Raden Banterang. Raden Banterang's hobby is hunting in the forest.

5. Cindelaras
Cindelaras
Cindelaras was a handsome young man who was born and raised by his mother in the middle of the forest. Since childhood he has been accustomed to hanging out with animals in the forest. The animals become close and obey his orders. Cindelaras has an invincible fighter cock. Actually Cindelaras was the son of Raden Putra, a king of the kingdom of Jenggala. Through his cock, he was able to meet his father, Raden Putra, king of the kingdom of Jenggala.

Raden Inu Kertapati
Once upon a time, the crown prince of the kingdom of Jenggala, Raden Inu Kertapati, was engaged to Dewi Candra Kirana, the daughter of the kingdom of Kediri. There are two beautiful daughters from Kediri kingdom, namely Dewi Candra Kirana and Dewi Ajeng. But Inu Kertapati really loved Dewi Candra Kirana.

Aryo Menak And The Seven Angels
At one night, during the middle of a full moon, after a long walk in a dense forest, Aryo Menak rested under a large tree on the edge of a lake. When sitting, from a distance he saw a light glowing from the direction of the lake. Aryo Menak then walked sneaking closer to the light source. How surprised Aryo Menak was after learning that the light came from seven heavenly angels bathing in the lake. The seven beautiful angels, bathing while joking and laughing, did not realize that they were spied on by Aryo Menak.

The origin of the name of Surabaya
Once upon a time, in ancient times, there lived a large crocodile named Baya. He has mortal enemies of a large shark named Sura. Almost every day both of them fight. Because both are strong, tough, and agile, no one wins or loses. If both of them are fighting, the waters around it will become big and cloudy. The animals that live around them are disturbed. Other animals try to reconcile both. But Sura and Baya continue to be hostile.

Joko Dolog
Joko Dolog is a statue in the city of Surabaya, a Majapahit Kingdom heritage. But according to East Java folklore, Joko Dolog is a statue that is said to be the incarnation of the body of Prince Jaka Taruna, the son of the Duke of Kediri. According to the story, Jaka Taruna wants to marry Purbawati, the daughter of Duke Jayengrana. Adipati Jayengrana is the Duke of Surabaya. But Jaka Taruna lost a fight against Prince Situbondo and Jaka Jumput and eventually turned into a statue.