Nyi Roro Kidul: Legend from the South Coast
On the southern coast of Java Island, there is a beach that is famous for its beauty and mystery—South Beach. This beach is often known as Parangtritis Beach. However, behind the beauty of the stretching sea and crashing waves, there is hidden a legend that has been passed down from generation to generation—the legend about Nyi Roro Kidul, Queen of the South Coast.
Origins and Ancestry
According to legend, Nyi Roro Kidul was a beautiful princess who came from the Majapahit kingdom in ancient times. Her real name is Kadita. She was the daughter of the King of Majapahit who was greatly admired for her extraordinary beauty and intelligence. However, her beauty and sincerity attracted the attention of a king from another kingdom who wanted to make her his queen. However, Kadita rejected the proposal, because her heart belonged to a young man from among the common people.
The kingdom where Kadita lives is very honorable and strong, but also has strict traditions and rules. Kadita's rejection of the king's proposal caused conflict and tension between the two kingdoms. Kadita felt depressed and hopeless. In her quest to find peace, Kadita ends up mysteriously disappearing, leaving her kingdom and family behind.
Transformation into Nyi Roro Kidul
Kadita was then found in a small fishing village on the southern coast of Java Island, known as Parangtritis Beach. This is where he underwent a major transformation. It is said that in search of peace and to escape the stress of her life, Kadita went on a spiritual journey to a place that was considered sacred. There, he performs a ritual to transform himself into an entity with greater power than ordinary humans. Through this process, Kadita was transformed into Nyi Roro Kidul, the eternal Queen of the South Coast who rules the seas with supernatural powers.
Nyi Roro Kidul is known as a very beautiful figure with green clothes and long flowing hair. He is the ruler of the southern seas who has the ability to control waves, winds and ocean currents. Local people believe that he has great magical powers, and the south coast is his territory.
Power and Influence
As Queen of the South Coast, Nyi Roro Kidul has the power to protect and regulate everything in the sea. He is also known to have the ability to communicate with sea creatures and often helps them in facing danger. Nyi Roro Kidul is believed to have a special relationship with fishermen, and many of them ask for her blessing before setting out to sea.
Nyi Roro Kidul is also famous for its mysterious nature. Sometimes, he appears on the beach with an alluring appearance and makes people feel enchanted. However, there are also stories that say that if someone gets too close to the sea, they could fall victim to its magical powers. It is said that Nyi Roro Kidul has the power to pull people into the sea and take them to her underwater world if they do not respect the beach or violate customs and regulations.
Rituals and Ceremonies
To honor Nyi Roro Kidul and gain protection from her magical powers, local people hold various ceremonies and rituals. One of the most famous rituals is "Labuhan," a ceremony performed every year. In this ritual, people bring various offerings such as food, flowers and valuable items to offer to Nyi Roro Kidul. This ceremony is usually carried out on the beach, where offerings are placed on a ship or small boat which is then left to float on the sea as a form of respect and supplication.
Legend and Legacy
The legend of Nyi Roro Kidul lives on in the culture and beliefs of the people of the southern coast of Java. Many believe that he not only protects the coast and the sea, but also maintains balance between the human and supernatural worlds. The story of Nyi Roro Kidul is an example of how myths and legends can connect humans with the forces of nature and instill respect for forces greater than themselves.
Nyi Roro Kidul is a symbol of the power, beauty and mystery
of nature. This legend continues to be told and revered, reminding us of the
importance of maintaining a harmonious relationship with the environment and
respecting the invisible forces of nature.
Social and Cultural Context
The legend of Nyi Roro Kidul is not just a folk tale; it
reflects various aspects of the culture and beliefs of coastal communities in
Java. In a social and cultural context, Nyi Roro Kidul symbolizes the power and
mystery of nature as well as the relationship between humans and the natural
environment. Its existence as a powerful supernatural entity reflects the
importance of respecting the forces of nature and maintaining the balance of
the ecosystem.
This story is a supernatural figure from Indonesian folklore
Nyi Roro Kidul wears a green kebaya, it is a symbol of royalty
This post is taking part in the t2 x Bonsai x Stack writing challenge
