Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Legend of Kanjeng Ratu Kidul

It is said before that Javanese people are like to something related to the myths or legends, thus it is one of the factors why legends and myths still exist in this land. One of the famous legends is, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul (The Queen of the South Sea). Her existence is still in a shadow, among real and legend. Real, because Panembahan Senopati (the founder of Mataram), have ever met her in Parangkusumo, a place near Parangtritis Beach, in south side of Kraton Yogyakarta. The story continued by the marriage between them. Legend, because people are often trapped by other entities that has similar name with her (actually, they are the guardians). There are three wardens in the south sea, they are: (1) Kanjeng Ratu Kidul (highest queen), (2) Nyai Riyo Kidul (patih dalam – patih in English means minister. So, it is same with deep govenor), (3) Nyai Rara Kidul (outside govenor). Every year, Kraton Yogyakarta has one special ceremony for them, and it calls Upacara Labuhan (throw the Kraton’s stuffs to the sea).
Some people are believe that Kanjeng Ratu Kidul like green. Because of that, there is an unwritten law that everyone who wants to go to Parangtritis or Parangkusumo, may not wear or bring something that has green color. It is why, in Yogyakarta, especially the place near Kratons’ area, the houses or other building has green color. Why? The first is, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul like green, it is for respect her. And the second is to make environment looks calm.
In the further, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX has ever met her, and he said, “Kanjeng Ratu Kidul is very beautiful woman when the moonlight washed her, but when the moon is gone, she slowly turns into an old woman” (book: Tahta Untuk Rakyat).

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