Folklore And Fairy Tales

The Origin of Banjarmasin City

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom called Nagara Daha founded by Putri Kalungsu. In the kingdom, he lived with his son Raden Sari Kaburat alias Sekar Sungsang with the title Panji Agung Maharaja Sari Kaburat. Sekar Sungsang later became the king of Nagara Daha.

As a follower of Dewa Shiva, Sekar Sungsang established the largest temple and phallus in South Kalimantan. The temple is now known as Candi Laras.

After Sekar Sungsang abdicated, he was succeeded by Emperor Sukarama. Unfortunately, during his reign, upheavals always occurred in the kingdom. One of them was caused by the power struggle to replace the throne of Emperor Sukarama.

The king had actually given the mandate that his grandson named Prince Samudera replace his position. However, resistance from Prince Mangkubumi makes the Prince of the Ocean can not dwell. In fact, finally Prince Mangkubumilah who ascended the throne.

After that, the chaos and upheaval still did not stop. In a feud, Prince Mangkubumi had to meet his death. Prince Tumenggung then ascended the throne in place of Prince Mangkubumi.

Some patih who take care of the Prince of the Ocean then felt that the heir to the kingdom of his life would not be safe if he continued to live in the neighborhood of Nagara Daha. If anyone disliked him and felt his life was threatened, the person would not hesitate to kill the prince.

With the help of the patih, the Prince of the Ocean left the Kingdom of Nagara Daha secretly. The prince decided to go undercover and live in a remote area around the mouth of the Barito River.

➭Current City

Along the banks of the Barito River from the main town of Nagara Daha, there are villages lined up. Among them are Balandean, Sarapat, Muhur, Tamban, Kuin, Balitung, and Banjar. Of these villages, the most beautiful and strategic location is Kampung Banjar. The reason is because the village was formed by five rivers that emptied into the Kuin River.

This good location makes Kampung Banjar develop into a city, which is a bustling trade city visited by merchant ships from various countries. The city was led by a coach who was commonly called Patih Masih, so that Banjar Village was eventually known as Bandar Masih.

Who would have thought that apparently the Prince of the Ocean had been hiding in the territory of Kampung Banjar. After learning that the rightful heir of the Kingdom of Nagara Daha was in his territory, Patih Masih immediately invited Patih Balit, Patih Muhur, Patih Kuin, and Patih Balitung to negotiate.

They then decided to find the hiding place of the Prince of the Ocean and crowned him king, according to the will of the Mahajara Sukarama. Raising the prince to be king and making Bandar Masih as the center of the kingdom as well as a trading city will make the position of Prince Tumenggung become desperate.

After all, not a single patih recognized Prince Tumenggung as king. They were not even willing to give tribute to Nagara Daha during the time Prince Tumenggung took office.

➭Attacks from Prince Tumenggung

After successfully finding the Ocean Prince, the patihs instantly revealed his goal. The prince agreed to the plan and began to set the strategy together.

The patih then advised the Prince of the Ocean to ask for help to the Kingdom of Demak. Because at that time, Demak was one of the strongest kingdoms after Majapahit and often conquered small kingdoms in Java.

Prince Samudera also sent Patih Balit to Demak to get help. The Kingdom of Demak agreed, but on one condition, the Prince of Samudera was willing to embrace Islam. Without a second thought, the prince agreed to the terms.

Assistance in the form of a large fleet then came from Demak to attack the Kingdom of Nagara Daha. The fleet consists of the army of the Kingdom of Demak and its allies located on the entire island of Borneo.

➭War Between Two Kings

The first major battle took place in Sangiang Gantung. With ease Prince Tumengung troops were pushed back to reach the mouth of the Amandit and Alai Rivers. Along the conquered places, the forces of the Prince of the Ocean hoisted the banner of Tatunggul Wulung Wanara Putih.

The war resulted in many casualties from both sides. It makes Patih from Nagara Daha, Arya Trenggana feel sad. He then proposed the fastest way to resolve the war to Prince Tumenggung and Prince Samudera. The trick is to do a duel or fight between the two kings. The loser must recognize the winner's sovereignty. The proposal was approved by both sides.

Prince Tumenggung and Prince Samudera each boarded a boat called Talanggung. The boats are controlled by commanders from both sides. The princes also wore war clothes and carried chopsticks, machetes, keris, and a centipede or shield.

At the Parit Basar River, the two kings faced each other. Prince Tumenggung already impatiently wanted to follow his lust to kill the Prince of the Ocean. On the other hand, the Prince of the Ocean felt unbearable against his own uncle. At that time, the Prince of the Ocean already felt sincere if the uncle killed him.

Knowing the willingness of the Prince of the Ocean, the heart of Prince Tumenggung immediately melted. All the anger that had appeared now melted and disappeared. He no longer saw the Prince of the Ocean as his enemy, but his blood-soaked nephew. Prince Tumenggung immediately threw his weapon and hugged his nephew. Full of haru, both of them were crying.

➭Ocean Prince Becomes King

With sincerity, Prince Tumenggung handed over his power to his nephew. Nagara Daha is now led by Prince Samudera. However, Prince Samudera moved the center of government of the kingdom to Bandar Masih or Banjar Masih. The reason is because the city is located near the mouth of the Barito River. With the move of the government center, the people of Nagara Daha began to move to Bandar Masih.

Prince Tumenggung was then given a fiefdom in Batang Alai. He now leads at least a thousand people. Meanwhile, Nagara Daha then no longer inhabited by residents and became an empty area.

Prince Samudera later changed his name to more Islamic, namely Sultan Suriansyah. The day of his victory, 24 September 1526 then became the anniversary for the City of Banjar Masih or Bandar Masih. The name of this city changed over time to Banjar salin or Banjarmasin because every long dry season, the water in the area turned salty (in the local language means salty).

After his death, Sultan Suriansyah was buried in North Kuin, North Banjar Sub-district, Kota Madya Region Level II Banjarmasin. Until now, there are still many residents of Banjarmasin City who visited the tomb. In fact, every September 24, the Mayor of Banjarmasin and his officials will make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Sultan Suriansyah.