Narrative Text

THE STORY OF BANJARMANGU

Once upon a time in the Great Hall of Mataram there was Pisoanan Agung. The king sent Hulu Balang, who had the title of Raden Sam Hoong, to follow the war against the Dutch colonial army. Raden Sam Hoong undertook it.

Together with Mataram troops, Raden Sam Hoong could defeat the Dutch army. After the war, Raden Sam Hoong continued the da'wah of Islam. Arriving in one place that was still foreign, Raden Sam Hoong met and studied Islamic knowledge to one named Ki Ageng Kemuning who already had a student named Mbah Brontok. Ki Ageng Kemuning then established padepokan (residence) which had 5 students, namely:

1.       Mbah Brontok

2.       Raden Sam Hoong

3.       Raden Nambangan

4.       Raden Aji

5.       Nyai Pandan Sari

Five people were living in harmony in the padepokan while spreading da'wah Islam. Over time Raden Sam Hoong well-known and more respected, because of his kindness and honesty. It made envy of his colleagues, especially Mbah Brontok.

Mbah Brontok invited Raden Sam Hoong to fought cocks at the edge of the river. Unfortunatey, Mbah Brontok’s cock could be defeated by Raden Sam Hoong’s cock. It made Mbah Brontok more envy with him. Mbah Brontok had a cunning plan to defeat Raden Sam Hoong. However  the plan was known by Raden Aji.

One day, Mbah Brontok challenged Raden Sam Hoong to compete their magic. Humbly, Raden Sam Hoong refused because he did not want to cause hostility. Knowing that, Mbah Brontok insulted and disfigured Raden Sam Hoong. However, Raden Sam Hoong was not provoked, even Raden Aji who was angry because he knew the cunning plan of Mbah Brontok. On another occasion, Raden Aji accepted the challenge of Mbah Brontok to replace Raden Sam Hoong.

The magic competition happened near the river Sumek. Raden Aji and Mbah Brontok killed each other, their blood flowed everywhere or the Javanese called it Banjaran. Then the place was named with BANJARMANGU which meant that the flowing blood made a lot of people astonished (termangu) because the brothers were hostile until they killed each other.