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TENGGERESE

            The upper slopes of this highland massif are home to some 40,000 people – the TENGGER JAVANESE – who are the only group on the island to have preserved a Hindu priesthood since the collapse of the Hindu-Buddhist kingdom of Majapahit about five centuries ago. After Islam swept Java, Majapahit’s aristocrats and priests took flight to the small Hindu principality of Blambangan at Java’s far eastern tip, and to neighboring Bali. Many commoners are said to have sought refuge in the Tengger highlands.

            While the liturgies of Tengger commoner priests recognize Siva as the supreme deity – with Brahma, Visnu, Mahadewa and Iswara as his associates – many Tengger traditions reflect local beliefs. This is evident in the ceremony held each year during the last month (Kasodo) of the Tengger calendar, when the faithful make a ritual offering to Joko Seger in Bromo.

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KASODO FESTIVAL

            Thousands assemble in the sand flats beneath Mt. Bromo at midnight in the middle of this month, most bearing small offerings of vegetables, flowers, money, or even live chickens. The 28 priests of the Tengger region begin the rite by burning incense, anointing the assembled offerings, and invoking Siva and other guardian deities. The throngs push their way up Mt. Bromo to throw the offerings into the caldera, ensuring the welfare in the coming year.

            The Tenggerese ask for blessing from the supreme god, Hyang Widi Wasa, followed by a classical ballet performance. The story recounts the legend of Roro Anteng and Jaka Seger and is performed at the open theater in the village of Ngadisari.

                        The Legend of Kasada Ceremony

            According to legend, the Kasado ceremony dates back to the time of the Majapahit Kingdom, during the reign of KING BRAWIJAYA. The queen gave birth to a daughter named RARA ANTENG who married JOKO SEGER, a young man from the Brahma Caste.

These two were among those who fled eastward from Majapahit as the religion of Islam expanded into Java during the 15^th century. Settling in the Tenger range, Joko Seger and Rara Anteng ruled the region jointly under the title Purbawisesa Mangkural Ing Tengger.

The word ‘Tengger’ itself is said to have been derived from a combination of the last syllables of the two rulers names: “Teng” and “Ger”. Another meaning is derived from “Tenggering Budi Luhur”, meaning eternal peace and high morality.

For some years, the region flourished under their leadership, yet the king and queen were unhappy for they had no children. The decided therefore, to climb to the top of Mt. Bromo to pray for help. Moved by the depth of their faith, the god of Mr. Bromo assured them of offspring, but with the condition that the youngest child must be sacrificed into the crater of the volcano.

After giving birth to 25 children, the time came for Roro Anteng to keep her promise. Since they were reluctant however, they were threatened with catastrophe. At last, they were forced to comply with the god’s wishes and their 25^th child, named KESUMA, was thrown into the crater. As the child was sacrificed, a voice was heard to echo “My beloved brothers and sisters, I have been sacrifice b our parents to appear before Hyang Widi. Be in peace and live prosperously, never forgetting to worship. As a reminder, I ask you to perform annual ceremony on the 14^th day of Kesada at the time of the half moon to bring an offering of crops and livestock”.