Mythology colors Yogya's history

By Tarko Sudiarno

YOGYAKARTA (JP): What is the connection between Yogyakarta and the dragon? According to local legend, the city was built 253 years ago on a site following advise from a big dragon called Kyai Jaga.

Back then, Prince Mangkubumi, who crowned himself Sultan Hamengkubuwono, considered many factors, including the geographical location, land fertility, security, beauty and even metaphysical factors before building the city of Yogyakarta.

His decision to build a new kraton was set by the Gianti agreement, which was signed on Feb. 13, 1755. According to the agreement, the Mataram kingdom was divided into two separate kingdoms. The first one was for Paku Buwono III with Surakarta as the capital city, and the other one was for Prince Mangkubumi.

In a book titled Kota Jogjakarta 200 Tahun (200 Years of Jogjakarta), which was published in 1956, it is told that one day the sultan's gardener was looking for grass to cut near Beringan jungle. He became very thirsty but could not find a water spring from which to drink. Then he noticed a flock of white egrets flying toward the jungle and thought there must be a water source in it. And he was right. The egrets were heading to a lake. As he hurriedly got down to drink, he suddenly heard a voice from the middle of the lake, talking to him.

"Gardener, don't you run away. I'm Kyai Jaga, the jungle's keeper. Tell your king, if he's looking for a place to build a city, Beringan is the best place." The voice came from a big dragon.

The gardener then rushed back to relate his experience to Prince Mangkubumi, who immediately instructed his men to clear the Beringan jungle.

The construction of the city itself was completed on Oct. 9, 1756, or Sura 13 Djimakir 1682 according to the Javanese calender, and the sultan moved from his former kraton in Ambar Ketawang, Gamping, to the newly built kraton.

Mangkubumi's newly built kraton reflected the Javanese philosophy he inherited from his ancestors and his own expertise as a renowned master of strategy.

For instance, he built a five-meter thick and three-and-a-half-meter high wall around the kraton. He also set up a number of observation posts and five strong gates called Plengkung in selected places.

Apart from the city, he also built a commemorative post, now called Tugu, for Kyai Jaga to live in and told the dragon to protect the city from danger.

The commemorative post, which is located in the city's center, was then adopted as the city's symbol and is as old as the city itself.

The Tugu, where Kyai Jaga is believed to live, also symbolizes the encounter of two of nature's main powers called Pacitry and Purusha, which also means the unity between a leader and his people. With this symbol, the sultan had to embrace his people to be successful. In Javanese terminology it is called Manunggaling Kawula Gusti.

Prince Mangkubumi, who was well-known for his struggle against the Dutch colonial powers, passed on his spirit to his heirs Prince Diponegoro and Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. Both figures were known for their struggle for Indonesian independence.

His fighting spirit was also inherited by Yogyakartans in general. When nationwide violence occurred on May 20, 1998, nothing happened in Yogyakarta.

And on Aug. 30 this year, the kraton will celebrate its 253rd anniversary.

"At this time, when the Indonesian people are still experiencing the economic crisis, we hope our program will make people smile again," said Sultan Hamengkubuwono X's brother, GBPH Joyokusumo, who chairs the organizing committee preparing the celebration for the kraton's anniversary.

A series of cultural and religious events have been planned to commemorate the kraton's 253rd anniversary. They include a music concert, theater performances and classical dance shows. Some 1,000 Muslim scholars from Java, South Sumatra, Kalimantan and West Nusa Tenggara are also scheduled to attend a Koran-reading event.

"During the reading we will also pray together for the prosperity and unity of Indonesia. Hopefully, God will fulfill our prayers," said Joyokusumo.