The Thousand Mask Warrior

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If you want to be recognized, the kingdom of Sukadana may have been less crowded and prosperous a few years ago. This is clearly due to the state of affairs.

The courage of the female leader of the kingdom of Sukadana, Queen Mas Jaintan or also known as Queen Bunku against Mataram impact on the kingdom's crushing defeat at the Mataram attack in 1622 AD.

This defeat not only made Sukadana to retreat because it was under the power and rule of Mataram, but also affected the destruction of another kingdom, namely the Kingdom of Kapuas located in an area called Sanggau.

The Mataram soldiers from Java who had succeeded in defeating Sukadana still settled in the area. They became so confident that they attacked the Kapuas kingdom, which at war with Mataram in the attack, donated most of their best warriors and retainers.

Thus, the punishment of Mataram was also imposed on the destruction of the Kapuas kingdom which still has kinship with Sukadana.

In addition, the son of the Queen of Jaintan, Prince Giri Mustika who was later appointed by Mataram became the successor of his mother to rule Sukadana, it turns out that it is better to go inland at Mulia which is located on the banks of the river instead of the coast as in Sukadana. Mulia is also known as Meliau by the pronunciation of Walanda Caucasians and recorded in the reports of their officials.

It can also be said that the royal capital has now moved to Meliau.

Currently in 1639 AD, Jayaseta's age is 19 years, approximately a year has passed since he married Almira and it has been three years since he left Giri Kedaton, his hometown.

King Nio is actually still eager to tell Jayaseta about anything on Tanjung Pura island. If it is not stopped, he must have chattered continuously for some time.

Jayaseta smiled at the skipper, "Save your story, master skipper. You know I have to go through this alone, right? You and the rest of the crew know who I am. Of course I went to Bumi Sukadana is not intended to trade let alone plesiran," said Jayaseta with a sharp look towards King Nio.

Although the two understood that Jayasera was just joking, King Nio clenched his mouth and made a hand gesture like he was tying his mouth.

"All right, master swordsman. Please go to help the hard and suffering and fight the evil," said the captain of Larantuka.

The two laughed, then shook hands. They promised to help each other if indeed fate twisted their way back.

***

Although almost all buildings are made of wood, there are also some that are built with a mixture of natural stone and red brick. Usually, these buildings are government and royal buildings, such as the palace, a small wall or a defensive fort.

Jayaseta was surprised, it turned out that he could meet the Javanese easily in this coastal city.

He did understand that Islam was spread on the island of Tanjung Pura around the 15th century to 16 AD. Sukadana Kingdom located in the Southwestern part of Tanjung Pura island is familiar with Islam from the scholars of the kingdom of Demak. Apart from Java, the spread of Islam in this kingdom was also carried out by Malay Islamic traders from Malacca.

But that is not the reason Sukadana is full of people from Java. First, it is clear that these Javanese were migrants as a result of the Mataram attack on Sukadana in 1622 AD, 17 years ago.  They flocked to the conquered regions in hopes of having a better future.

But the most obvious reason is because since two years ago, namely in 1637 AD, Javanese people from various kingdoms and regions, migrated massively to the island of Tanjung Pura, Indonesia, including Sukadana and surrounding areas as a result of the conquest of Javanese kingdoms by Sultan Agung Hanyakrakusuma. Their countries, kingdoms and regions were destroyed by war so leaving was inevitable.

Another considerable and powerful kingdom on the island, the Banjar Sultanate, controlled the pepper trade so that the Southwest, the, Southeast and East of Tanjung Pura island so of course the kingdoms in the area must pay tribute to the Sultanate of Banjar or also called by the name of the Kingdom of Banjarmasin. Of course, this includes Sukadana which is located in the Southwest of the island.

The Banjarmasin kingdom stopped sending tribute to the Demak Sultanate because it felt it was strong enough as a kingdom regardless of the strength and power of other kingdoms, especially Demak in Java. After all the Demak Sultanate back then had started to show signs of decline.

However, not a few kingdoms on the island of Java who still want to control the Sultanate of Banjar since breaking away from Demak. One of them was Tuban in 1615 AD who attacked the Kingdom of Banjarmasin with the help of Madura and Surabaya, but failed due to fierce resistance from the powerful soldiers of Banjar.

Sultan Agung Hanyakrakusuma is certainly also very passionate to master this kingdom, especially because it has felt strong, the Sultanate of Banjar stated Sambas, Lawai, Sukadana, Kotawaringin, Pembuang, Sampit, Mendawai, Kahayan Hilir and Kahayan Hulu, Kutai, Sand, Sea Island, Satui, Asam Asam, Kintap and Swarangan as vassal states of Banjarmasin kingdom. This confession took place in 1636.

Therefore, because Sultan Agung attacked, destroying various countries and kingdoms in Java, the movement of Javanese people to the island of Tanjung Pura is inevitable.

The Javanese may feel safe when they are on the island of Tanjung Pura which is not affected by Mataram forces attack. There is a strong and strong Banjarmasin Kingdom and dare to fight against the power of the largest kingdom in the archipelago.

Moreover, in 1637 AD, there was also a peace treaty between the two kingdoms because they both faced the threat of Walanda centered in Betawi.

Tense relationship Mataram and Banjarmasin that occurred for years was finally lost, because despite the desire to control Banjarmasin, Sultan Agung still hates Walanda more.

***

Jayaseta walks out of housing by the beach. Every house and building of wood must have some kind of space and yard for a variety of plants. One of them is pepper. Lush coconut trees surround the residential area.

The Malays wear clothes with bright colors. The gloves encircled their waists. Keris tucked behind a belt with a variety of shapes. Honorable and rich people wear keris with a gemstone decoration of bead quality in the head, while ordinary people also sometimes bring a machete or keris with a simpler shape and decoration.

Their high head ties remind Jayaseta of the late Karsan. His heart ached considering his death and his comrades as well.

Before long, Jayaseta said he heard people speaking in Javanese. Of course Jayaseta is interested in getting close to a wooden building that seems to be a diner.

About ten people were enjoying a meal and talking about their hometown in Giri. Yep... Giris.

Jayaseta's heart surged to hear the people from Giri Kedaton were exchanging stories.

However, he is now a traveling swordsman who has a purpose in life of his own. Giri is his past that holds many good and bad memories as part of his life. But clearly, he was no longer a Giri Kedaton.

"Well, kids. I see from your busan, you seem to be from Java as well. Where are you from?" a middle-aged man greeted him in Javanese. His other friends also looked at Jayaseta as if waiting for his answer.

"I come from Semarang, gentlemen," he said. He did feel he had been a Semarang for several weeks living there after marriage.

Although Almira was a Blambangan who later became a Mataram, Jayaseta could not be said to be a Mataram citizen. I don't know later. After all, it would be very problematic if he claimed to be a Mataram person. He also refused to discuss anything related to his hometown, Giri Kedaton.

"Well, wow ... I went to Semarang many years ago. If I live long, I would like to stop by Semarang again one day. Well, welcome to Sukadana earth, kisanak. Let's sit with us. If we can know, what is the need of Semarang here?" Said one more person who looked a little younger than the one who first asked Jayaseta.

Jayaseta found it impossible not to ask. He is in a new land that he does not know well apart from the story and intentions. "Look, dad. I came here because I wanted to meet someone important. My grandfather told me something I should tell him. But I don't really understand how big this country is and whether it's easy to find that person."

"You'll say enough, nakmas. Who knows, we can help you" a man much older than all these people said this time.

"He was named Datuk Mas Kuning, father. Is it possible that his name is so famous in this country that I might be able to meet him?"

Everyone smiled at the diner and looked at each other. "Eat first, nakmas. The person you're looking for is indeed a famous person. Almost no one does not know him in this land of Sukadana. But let's drink and eat first. They will be able to inform or even deliver nakmas to his residence," said the oldest person.

Jayaseta smiled widely, not expecting his long journey to pay off easily.

He sat cross-legged in the tavern with the Javanese men, drinking, eating while resting his body and soul floating in the middle of the ocean for days.