5 Interesting Folktales from East Java that Enhance Knowledge

East Java is a province rich in culture and meaning. It's not just about its music or unique traditions, but there are also folktales from East Java that have interesting plots and are full of good lessons.

Here are 5 folktales from East Java that you can check out to broaden your knowledge. Sometimes they may seem far-fetched, but they are actually full of lessons to be learned. Let's dive right in!

The Origin of Reog Ponorogo

Who doesn't know about the culture of Reog Ponorogo? However, do you know how the story of Reog Ponorogo began? It turns out to be related to the Kingdom of Kediri.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess. She was Dewi Sanggalangit, the princess of the Kingdom of Kediri. Dewi Sanggalangit held a contest for suitors with the condition of presenting a performance featuring a dance accompanied by gamelan music, a line of twin horses, and a two-headed animal. It seemed impossible, so everyone backed out except for Singabarong and Kelana Swandana.

Confused about how to meet the requirements, Singabarong decided to investigate Kelana Swandana. Knowing that Kelana had prepared everything except for the two-headed animal, he became worried. Eventually, he decided to attack Kelana. However, Kelana was aware and defeated Singabarong's forces.

With his magical powers, Kelana transformed Singabarong into a tiger with a red bird on its head to fulfill the contest's requirements. Finally, Dewi Sanggalangit chose Kelana Swandana to marry her, and since then similar performances have continued to be held and are called Reog Ponorogo.

The Good Name Combination

There is a unique story in East Java about a good name combination as a requirement when determining a partner. This story is based on a folktale from East Java titled “The Good Name Combination” featuring characters named Lasmudin and Mukdima.

Lasmudin did not want to help his father-in-law in the fields and only made dolls. Mukdima's parents were angry, especially since Lasmudin responded that their good name combination would surely bring good fortune.

And, it turned out to be true when one day the royal party came to Lasmudin asking him to make dolls to entertain the sick Princess. As a reward for his service, the King gifted him a lot of money and gold.

From that moment on, Mukdima's parents no longer got angry with Lasmudin and allowed their son-in-law to continue making dolls without scolding him for not helping with the work in the fields.

The Origin of the Winding Brantas River

The winding Brantas River amazes many people. Apparently, there is a folktale that explains this.

Once, the King had a dragon snake that was very large. When the King called it, the dragon snake would slither and wind its way from its dwelling to the palace. The path that the dragon snake slithered on then became flooded and turned into a river.

The Origin of Babah

Babah is usually used to refer to the Chinese ethnic group by the Javanese. It is said that this story was used to create discrimination.

The word babah comes from the word mbabah which means to seek a path. So, the Chinese ethnic group sought a path in the wilderness and eventually arrived in Java.

In the past, this story was used to narrate the tale of Adam's son who fled into the forest because his marriage was not approved. Because of this similarity, the Chinese people considered themselves very handsome while the Javanese thought otherwise.

Sura Alap Alap and the Tageh Fish

This folktale from East Java is set during the time when Indonesia was still colonized by the company. It tells the story of Sura Alap Alap who was tasked with driving out the company from East Java. However, the number of enemy troops and their weapons were far greater than the native population.

Fearing many casualties, Sura Alap Alap invited all the residents to leave. Miraculously, the village suddenly turned into a lake filled with tageh fish. The invaders who saw this eventually fled because there were no residents left to fight.

Sura Alap Alap, knowing that the invaders had fled, finally ordered the residents to return to the village, and it turned out the lake had dried up and could be inhabited again. Since then, Sura Alap Alap commanded that they should never eat the tageh fish that had helped them against the invaders.

Wow, it turns out that the folktales from East Java are very exciting. These five folktales can be told to children to broaden their horizons. Because, usually, folktales have real stories told with a touch of fiction. They also have lessons that can inspire and teach children to do good.