indonesian Legend

origin of Banyuwangi

In ancient times in the eastern tip of East Java Province there was a large kingdom ruled by a just and wise King. The king had a son named Raden Banterang. Raden Banterang's favorite is hunting. “Today morning I will hunt into the forest. Prepare hunting tools,” Raden Banterang said to his servants. After the hunting equipment was ready, Raden Banterang accompanied some of his escorts to leave for the forest. When Raden Banterang walked alone, he saw a deer passing in front of him. He immediately chased the antelope until it went deep into the forest. He was separated from his attendants.

“Where was a gazelle?”, said Raden Banterang, when he lost track of his prey. “I'll keep looking until I get,” her resolve. Raden Banterang through thickets and forest trees. However, the hunted animal was not found. He arrived at a very clear river. “Hem, fresh water this river,” Raden Banterang drink the river water, until feel lost thirst. After that, he left the river. But just a few steps walk, suddenly surprised by the arrival of a beautiful girl.

“Ha? A beautiful girl? Is he really a human? Don't-don't the demon waiting for the forest,” muttered Raden Banterang wondering. Raden Banterang ventured to approach the beautiful girl. “You're a human or a forest guardian?” sapa Raden Banterang's. “I'm human,” replied the girl with a smile. Raden Banterang also introduced himself. The beautiful girl greeted him. “My name Surati comes from Klungkung” kingdom. “I am in this place for saving myself from enemy attack. My father has fallen in defense of the royal crown,”. Hearing the girl's words, Raden Banterang was surprised not kepalang. Seeing the suffering of King Klungkung's daughter, Raden Banterang immediately helped and invited him back to the palace. Soon they get married and build a happy family.

One day, King Klungkung's daughter was walking alone outside the palace. “Surati! Surati!”, call a man dressed in rags. After observing the man's face, he realized that in front of him was his older brother named Rupaksa. The intention of Rupaksa's arrival was to take his younger brother for revenge, as Raden Banterang had killed his father. Surati told that he wanted to be married to Raden Banterang because he was indebted. That way, Surati did not want to help her brother's invitation. He was angry to hear his sister's answer. However, he had given a memory in the form of a headband to Surati. “That this head you should keep under your bed,” Rupaksa's message.

Surati's meeting with his biological brother is not known by Raden Banterang, because Raden Banterang is hunting in the forest. When Raden Banterang was in the middle of the forest, suddenly his eyes were shocked by the arrival of a man dressed in rags. “My money, Raden Banterang. The Lord's safety is in danger of being planned by the master's own wife,” the man said. “Master can see the evidence, by looking at a headband placed under the place of the contest. The headband belonged to the man whom he was asked to help kill Mister,” he explained.

Raden Banterang intended to drown his wife in a river. After arriving at the river, Raden Banterang tells of a meeting with a ragged man while hunting in the forest. The wife also told of a meeting with a man dressed in tatters as her husband explained. “That man is Adinda's older brother. He was the one who gave a headband to Adinda,” Surati explained again, so that Raden Banterang melted his heart. However, Raden Banterang still believes that his wife will harm him. “My husband's brother! Open your heart and feelings! Adinda was willing to die for the sake of the safety of Kakanda. But give the opportunity to Adinda to tell about the meeting Adinda with Adinda's brother named Rupaksa,” said Surati reminded.

“So brother will kill brother! Adinda is in demand for help, but Adinda tolah!”. Hearing this, Raden Banterang's heart did not melt even assume his wife was lying.. “Kakanda ! If the water of this river becomes clear and fragrant, it means Adinda is innocent! But, if it remains cloudy and stinky, it means Adinda is guilty!” serang Surati's. Raden Banterang considers his wife's remarks to be making it up. So, Raden Banterang immediately unsheathed a keris tucked in his waist. Simultaneously, Surati jumped into the middle of the river and disappeared.

Not long after, a miracle happened. A fragrant smell spread around the river. Seeing the incident, Raden Banterang exclaimed with a trembling voice. “My wife is innocent! Water this time smells good!” How sorry Raden Banterang. He lamented the death of his wife, and lamented his folly. But it's too late.

Since then, the river has become fragrant. In Javanese it is called Banyuwangi. Banyu means water and fragrant means fragrant. The name Banyuwangi then became the name of the city of Banyuwangi.