The Legend of Kesodo Feast in Mount Bromo
Hundreds
years ago, the last king of Majapahit had a young princess from one of his
wives. The princess was named Roro Anteng. Later, Roro Anteng married Joko
Seger, who came from Brahman caste.
Because
of unfortunate situation the couple was forced to leave the kingdom. They
settled in the mountain area. They ruled the area and named it Tengger, which
was derived from their names, Roro Anteng and Joko Seger.
After
several years of reign, the region flourished in prosperity, but Roro Anteng
and Joko Seger were sad because they did not have a child. They climbed the top
of mountain and prayed there night and day hoping that the God would listen.
The prayer was heard and Betoro Bromo promised to give them many children.
However, they had to promise that they would sacrifice their youngest child in
return.
Roro
Anteng gave birth to a child, then another and another. In the end, Roro Anteng
and Joko Seger had 25 children. Soon it was time to sacrifice the youngest
child, Kusuma, but the parents could not do it. They tried to hide him, but an
eruption happened and Kusuma fell into the crater. There was silence before
they heard a voice. "I have to be sacrificed so that you will all stay
alive.
From
now on, you should arrange an annual offering ceremony on the 14th of Kesodo
(the twelfth month of Tengerese calendar)". It was Kusuma's voice.
Kusuma's brothers and sisters held the offering ceremony every year. Instead of
human being, they collected fruits, vegetables, rice, and meat to be offer to
the Gods. And this has been done generation after generation until today.
The moral value: We have to fulfil our promise.
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