Ki Ronggo's legacy: From cricket fighting to gambling

Ki Ronggo's legacy: From cricket fighting to gambling

BONDOWOSO, East Java (JP): The Bondowoso regency's coat of arms, two fighting bulls, is very suitable. Bull fighting is inseparable from the lives of this small town's people. Everybody here knows what e duen sape (Madurese for bull fighting) is.

"Bull fighting was inherited from our Bondowoso ancestor, Ki Ronggo," explained Abdul Gafur, a spokesman from the Bondowoso administration.

Ki Ronggo, or Bagus Assra, founded the Bondowoso regency. He was a grandson of Pamekasan regent Adikoro IV.

According to the book Aduan Sapi Dalam Babad Bondowoso (Bull Fighting in the Bondowoso Chronicle) published by the Ki Ronggo Relatives Association (1972), Ki Ronggo was one of the many Madurese who fled to Java in 1750. Thousands of Madurese ran away from their island because Ki Lesep rebelled against his father King Panembahan Cakraningrat V.

They are believed to have landed at a number of seaports along the northern coast of East Java. Most came ashore in the largest port, Besuki. The Dutch guarded the straits of Madura from this port city and the Daendels road which connects Anyer in West Java with Panarukan in East Java also passes through it.

Bagus was taken care of by Kiai Patih (vice regent) Wirodipuro and was well known by his people as a man of noble character. They called him Patih Alus (noble vice regent). Wirodipuro taught Bagus religion, self-defense and how to be a noble.

Besuki regent Kiai Suroadikusumo learned of Bagus' ability to defend himself and asked him to become a tax collector. The regent eventually adopted Bagus as a son.

The Suroadikusumos believed that Bagus would become an important person. Legend has it that when Bagus fell asleep at the regential hall with his friends, bright blue rays radiated from his body -- a sign that he would become a nobleman.

At that time, Besuki also functioned as a capital of a residen (colonial administrative unit). Its territory included Banyuwangi, Probolinggo and Lumajang.

Because Besuki was growing quickly, regent Suroadikusumo wanted to expand his territory. The regent took over an unclaimed valley between Mount Argopuro and Mount Irjen, about 35 kilometers northeast of Besuki, and assigned Bagus to make his dream come true.

Bagus managed to carve the town Bondowoso out of the dense jungle with the help of a few indentured locals. The name Bondowoso was taken from Bondo (foothold) and Kuwoso (mandate).

At first, Bondowoso covered only nine square hectares. Bagus used to gather his people in the clearing to tell them how to develop his town. Bagus built a mosque at the western part of the square and built his house 400 meters to the north of the mosque. His house is still standing.

The city grew very quickly in the fertile valley. Most of the population were Madurese. According to Naskah Ringkas Sejarah Berdirinya Kabupaten Bondowoso (A Brief History of the Bondowoso Regency), written by a team from the Bondowoso administration (1992), Besuki regent RAA Prince Prawirodiningrat made Bagus the Traditional regent (Ronggo) of the new town in 1819 for his good work. He assumed the noble name Mas Ngabei Kertonegoro Ronggo I.

Under Kertonegoro's administration, Bondowoso developed significantly. It is said that Kertonegoro cared very much for his people's welfare, and provided entertainment for them. First, Ki Ronggo introduced cricket fighting.

Lately, quail fights, cock fights and bull races and fights have become very popular in the area. Bull fighting is by far the most popular in Bondowoso.

Ki Ronggo passed away in 1830, but people still visit his grave in Sekar Putih sub-district, about five kilometers from the city. Most of the visitors are bull owners who pray their animals will become champions.

"The aim of bull fighting has changed from its original objective. The fights are only a front for illegal gambling," charged 83-year-old Koesno Koesoemowidjoyo, a fifth generation descendant of Ki Ronggo I.

She said Ki Ronggo only staged bull fights when the moon was full and on Idul Fitri Day. Gambling was strictly banned, she added, and Ki Ronggo directly supervised the activities.

Koesno says relatives of Ki Ronggo don't care about the Bondowoso administration's effort to maintain the bull fighting tradition.

"It is the Bondowoso administration's business. If they want to maintain it, fine, but if not, we thank God."

K. Candra Negara/ X-T Feature Syndication