The historical story about the Kingdom of Nusatembini takes place in the area around Nusakambangan Island. Nusatembini is told as a fairly large Demon Kingdom. This kingdom has an area around the coast of Cilacap to Nusakambangan Island.
This kingdom has a natural fortress in the form of bamboo plants up to seven layers (baluwarti pring Ori pitung sap). The depiction of the natural fortress from the seven-layer bamboo fence can be interpreted that the author of the story wants to say that the defense of the Nusatembini Kingdom is quite strong.
In addition, it also shows that the Ori bamboo plant is a plant commonly used as a fence or security for the people of Cilacap against security disturbances.
Nusatembini Kingdom was led by a beautiful female ruler (raja putri) named Brantarara. The beauty of the Princess attracted the attention of the rulers of other kingdoms to establish cooperation to marry her as Empress. But to marry the princess is not easy, because so tight guard and defense. Many Kings failed just to be able to enter the territory of the Nusatembini royal palace.
The story of the existence of the ruler of the kingdom of the womenfolk can actually be seen as a symbol of the equality of men and women in political rights.
Thus, the view that in Javanese culture women are considered inferior to men is not proven in the mind of the author of the historical story of the Nusatembini Kingdom. In Cilacap culture there is a value that considers that women also have the power to rule, even in the story it surpasses the ability of men.
The question is when exactly the origin of this Nusatembini Kingdom story originated. The author of the history and anniversary of Cilacap version of the Cilacap government said that the Kingdom of Nusatembini originated from prehistoric times. It was said to be evidenced by the relics of two bamboo groves ori which is a relic of the royal fortress Nusatembini.
In 1970 the relics are believed to come from the pre-historic period was still there are located in the Dock Complex Port of pasir Besi, but at this time the relics have been lost.
In our opinion, the story about the Kingdom of Nusatembini does not take the Islamic era, but also not in prehistoric times. Prehistoric times were not known the concept of Kingdom, which existed only Primus Interpares, and generally the oldest male.
The concept of a new kingdom emerged during the entry of Hindu and Buddhist culture in Indonesia. Thus it can be interpreted that the historical background of the Nusatembini Kingdom is actually the Hindu and Buddhist period in the Cilacap region.
The interpretation that the background story about the Nusatembini Kingdom Nusatembini is Hindu Buddhist is supported by other stories related to the kingdom. Folklore in Cilacap society tells that in the west of the Kingdom Nusatembini is the Kingdom of Galuh Pakuan Pajajaran.
In historical records, this kingdom was one of the most powerful Hindu kingdoms in the Tatar Sunda region. Because the Kingdom of Nusatembini contemporary with the Kingdom of Galuh, it can be ascertained that the story tentnag Nusatembini Kingdom comes from the development of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Galuh Pakuan Pajajaran Kingdom is a great kingdom. Unlike Nusatembini, the ruler of Pakuan Pajajaran was a brave man. During his reign he was tempted by God with the development of pestilence that attacked his people. However, the people suffered greatly because many of them had to lose family members due to the ferocious outbreak of the disease.
King Pajajaran is trying to find a way to solve the problems that are plaguing his country. Every effort has been made to overcome the plague, but in vain. The King was saddened to see the suffering of the people throughout his country, and even more saddened when his sons and daughters were also stricken with disease.
When the King was almost desperate to overcome the plague that struck his country, came a priest (monk). The priest conveyed the intention of his arrival until a dialogue such as the following quote :
Pastor ” " Gusti Prabu junjungan servant, forgive this servant for all my impudence facing Gusti without a call and with all the mercy of Gusti Prabu, we ask forgiveness for all these mistakes”.
King : ”I am very happy to see the arrival of the monk at this time because there is something that is now worrying my mind as the leader of the government in the Kingdom of Pajajaran”.
Pastor: ”Gusti Prabu Junjungan servant, I think I understand what Gusti is facing at this time because of the plague that befell the people of Pajajaran. Until my Lord Putri is now stricken with the plague".
King : ”I think it's wikut, that my worries and anxieties are still very gripping. But what if the monk could provide a solution to overcome all of this?”
Pastor ” "" Gusti Prabu Junjungan servant, the arrival of this servant intends to convey the ”wisik” or inspiration that I have received. That what is happening today in the Kingdom of Pajajaran and diseases suffered by Tuanku Putri junjungan servant, can still be cured with a drug called "Sembrani horse tears".
The drug can only be cultivated from the eastern part of the Kingdom of Pajajaran. In the East there is a keratorn called Nusatembini and that's where the drugs will be obtained. But to reach the area and get it is not easy, because the environment of Kraton Nusatembini is very serious.
So should Gusti Prabu Junjungan servant sent the elected courtiers Pajajaran to face the queen princess who led the palace.
Haturkanlah all Gusti's intentions to invoke the so-called ”Tears of Sembrani horse” which became the pet of the Queen. If the effort to get Sembrani horse tears was successful, then it will be a cure and a sacrifice (repellent) Galuh Pajajaran Kingdom from all the dangers that will come.
King Pajajaran merspon positive suggestions from the monk. The king then prepared himself for Nusatembini. Some of the Dukes who were under the power of Pajajaran who were considered capable of being assigned to the kingdom of Demon were sent by The King to Nusatembini.
The chief envoy fell to Patih Harya Tilandanu who was assisted by Adipati Gobog and Adipati Sendang. They mobilize selected soldiers so that all obstacles on the way can be overcome.
After the preparation to go to Nusatembini Kingdom was finished, the group of soldiers from Pajajaran went to the kingdom of siluman on the south coast of Cilacap. Despite coming from the chosen soldiers, the journey to Nusatembini was not easy.
They must pass through the nature that is still fierce in the form of wilderness and swamps that stretch wide. In such a natural situation pre Pajajaran soldiers with a burning semnagat towards Nusatembini Kingdom in order to obtain a cure for the disease of the King's daughter ” sembrani horse tears".
The soldiers of the Pajajran envoy finally arrived in the Cilacap area. When they reached Nusatembini area they saw the power of yan surrounding the kingdom which was very strong. The soldiers tried to enter the royal palace in various ways.
However, this time the effort failed because of the fortress of bamboo thickets that surrounded the kingdom of nusatembini closely like a layered fence. Attempts to enter the Palace Nusatembini tried many times, and it always failed.
Failure many times to enter the Palace Nusatembini not make the soldiers desperate Pajajaran. With the spirit of defending the King and his country they always look for ways to be able to enter the Palace Nusatembini. Adipati Gobong, Adipati Sendang and Patih Harya Tilandanu are other roads outside the war path.
They meditated to get inspiration and a way out in order to enter the Palace Nusatembini. After a few days, they found a clue. In the occult clues it is said that the bamboo fortress that surrounds Nusatembini will be destroyed by using gold bullets.
After getting the inspiration of the soldiers Sundanese Tata pajajaran King's envoy changed tactics in entering the Palace Nusatembini. They made a gold bullet that came from gold money to destroy the bamboo that surrounded the palace with the female King.
The making of the gold bullet was done by a group of Pajajaran soldiers in a location not far from Nusatembini Palace. They stopped in an area near the palace for days.
In addition to producing gold bullets, they also set up tactics to carry out attacks. In the area where the preparations for this attack are known in Cilacap folklore as the Donan area. One area where Andon (stopover).
After the plan of attack was carefully arranged, then on the appointed day the Pajajaran group of soldiers attacked the Nusatembini Palace. Attacks are carried out by tough soldiers using gold bullets that have been prepared in advance.
The bullets were fired and fell near or under the bamboo grove that fortified Nusatembini Palace. Nusatembini residents who saw gold bullets falling under bamboo trees tried to take bullets that were of high economic value at that time. To be able to take the bullets they have to cut down the bamboo tree layers.
Pajajaran soldiers realized the meaning of the golden bullet turned out to be a fishing tool for residents in the kingdom to open the isolation of the kingdom by cutting down bamboo trees that became the royal fortress. Little by Little finally Pajajaran soldiers increasingly able to move forward after being able to pass through the bamboo groves Ori felled by local residents.
Pajajaran soldiers finally managed to enter the Palace after successfully surpassing the seven layers of bamboo fence that had been cleared of residents who were tempted by the golden bullets that fell under the bamboo tree.
Certia about the existence of this golden bullet can be interpreted two things concerning the historical facts behind the story. First, the concept of firearms in the story shows that the background of the story was during the late Pajajaran Kingdom before the development of Islamic agana in the archipelago, possibly the 15th and 16th centuries.
This can be explained because firearms were introduced by the Portuguese and then the Dutch in those centuries. Second, the weakness of a country as great as any will can be broken with wealth. Gold which is a symbol of wealth of high economic value has tempted the people of Nusatembini so that it can easily be infiltrated by foreign troops.
The Pajajaran soldiers were finally able to enter the Nusatembini Royal Palace. They intend to capture the Queen. But they had a hard time, because the Queen gave resistance. Seeing the danger that threatened, Raja Putri Nusatembini then rode sembrani horse to fly into space.
With a loud voice, the Princess challenged the migrant soldiers, while saying ”O pajajaran soldiers, show your magic and masculinity, catch me. If I can catch myself, I will submit, the Kingdom of Nusatembini I submit to you.” Seeing the power of the Queen, pre Pajajaran soldiers became dumbfounded and did not immediately take the fight.
In another part it is told that Patih Harya Tilandanu entered the inner room of Nusatembini Palace . While exploring these rooms,he found a beautiful woman. According to local belief, the princess is Queen Brantarara, King Princess Nusatembini.
The Patih tried to approach the woman, but not until successfully approached the woman disappeared from sight and turned into a ”golek kencana” (Golden doll). The Patih became exasperated and tried to hold the golek, but the object skyrocketed and hit the patih's body until it fell.
The doll released a sparkling color that caused the patih to become blind. With that event, the effort to get the envoy Pajajaran Kud asembrani tears as a cure daughter of the King failed. However, Paa pajajaran soldiers also did not dare to return to Pajajaran empty-handed for fear of severe punishment due to failure.
The Pajajaran soldiers then settled in the Nusatembini area, including Patih Harya Tilandanu. Even Patih Harya Tilandanu died in Cilacap and was buried in Mount Batur. Cilacap folklore says that his grave is in Slarang village, Kesugihan District, Cilacap.
Duke Gobog also became a resident settled in the region Nusatembini. They died in this region and were buried in a place known as the Tomb of Duke Gobog. The location of the tomb is south of Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, not far from seleko market.
The name Adipati Gobog was immortalized as a street name, before changing to Jalan Sudirman. Meanwhile, Adipati Sendang, his grave is in Donan Village.
Duchy Of Donan
If the story about Nusatembini Kingdom comes from the time of Hindu Buddhism, then the story about the Duchy of Donan is estimated in the early period of Islamic Development in Java. Donan is not located near the southern coast of Cilacap, but on the northern mainland, now in the vicinity of the city of Cilacap.
In the story it is said that Donan was originally a forest area. The area began to open into a residential area of Banyumas people migration. One of the groups of immigrants was the entourage of Raden ronggosengoro envoy of Duke Mrapat, a son-in-law of Duke Wirasaba.
Raden Songgosengoro and his entourage eventually settled in the region. He was good at leading the people by transforming the originally deserted Donan area into a bustling settlement. Ronggosengoro was then appointed Duke of Donan by Duke Wirasaba.
Under the leadership of Duke Ronggosengoro the Donan area was gradually transformed into a bustling and prosperous area. The population lived in sufficiency, not lacking in clothing or food. Security is guaranteed so that residents do not feel anxious living in the Donan area.
Donan's safe and peaceful condition becomes disturbed when there is a strange creature disturbance to Donan's territory. The disturbance was in the form of a giant bird that the local people called "Garuda Beri". This giant bird is said to often pounce on animals belonging to the inhabitants of Donan.
It even pounced on humans who tried to defend their favorite animals that were about to be pounced on by the giant bird. The giant bird nests on Nusakambangan Island. To solve the problem the duke tried to exert all the strength of his people to kill the animal, but always failed.
The failure to capture the animals that troubled the Donan society prompted the Duke to look for other ways. Thanks to the guidance of the necromancer who said that the bird can be destroyed with the heirloom of the Demak Sultanate, then he went to the Demak Sultanate to borrow a Demak heirloom named Kyai Kasur Upih. The Duke's request to borrow the Demak heritage was granted by the Sultan of Demak. It was a pity after the heirloom was successfully borrowed, but no one was able to use it well to kill Garuda Beri.
Because it always fails to destroy the dangerous animals, it is told that Duke Donan held a contest. In the contest, the Duke promised his daughter a reward for anyone who managed to capture and kill the Garuda Beri.
The competition turned out to attract the attention of The Dukes of Anom in other regions. They came to show their skills in catching these dangerous animals. They hope to catch The Beast because the prize is quite tempting,a beautiful princess.
However, it turned out that none of the Dukes managed to conquer garuda Beri. The fighters got scared and ran away due to the fierce attack of the demon beast. Some of them were injured, and some of them refused to participate in the contest.
With the failure of the Duke of Anom in following the contest to capture Garuda Beri, then the Duke of Donan became hopeless. The Duke always pondered to find a way to defeat The Beast that troubled the people of Donan. In the atmosphere of sadness came a young man with a handsome face and smooth temperament.
The young man was a virgin ”Santri Undig” which is also referred to as Bagus Santri. In the presence of the Duke of Donan, he conveyed his intention to devote himself to the Duchy of Donan, he would work anything for Donan and would carry out His Majesty's orders with full obedience.
The Duke who heard Snatri's Good request stated that he did not mind, even accepted it with pleasure on the condition that he was able to kill the Garuda Beri animal that had troubled his people. Although good students know that the conditions are quite heavy,but his determination is unanimous to accept the offer of the Duke of Donan.
Indeed, the good Santri is a messenger from Demak. He was sent by the Sultan of demak to take back the powerful Demak heirloom ” "Cis Kasur upih" which had not been in the palace for a long time. By being accepted as a servant of Duke Donan and successfully capturing Garuda Beri, he hoped that the Demak inheritance could be taken back.
Undig students do not necessarily catch Garuda Beri. For a while he had to stay in the Duchy of Donan to study the situation and the danger conditions. After some time living in Donan, he went to the Duke to convey his uneg.
First, before killing Garuda Beri, he first asked for a ”hole as deep as a human”. Second, he asked that a cubit-wide white cloth be provided. Third, he was allowed to borrow the Cis heirloom mattress Upih. Except for the third request, Snatri's Good request was immediately granted by the Duke.
Meanwhile, the third request can only be granted after he repeatedly convinced the Duke that the new bird can be killed with a mattress Cis Upih.
With all requests granted, Bagus Santri then prepares to capture Garuda Beri. After the necessary equipment is available, good students take water ablution and prayer while praying to be granted by Allah SWT in carrying out the heavy task. With the intention of eradicating crime and cruelty, Bagus Santri has a strong motivation to kill Garuda Beri.
After praying and reading the congratulations prayer, Undig students wore a white cloth given by Duke Donan. The white cloth was used to wrap himself until his body was not visible and formed a white lump. They do not look human when viewed from a distance.
From a distance it looks more like a cow with white skin. Dressing like that is a good tactic for students so that Garuda Beri who saw from Space thought the white object seen was a cow so garuda Beri would immediately pounce on him. In such a position he made his way to the clearing where a high-masted hut was built.
Not far from the location there is also a hole as high as a human being used as a place to fight Garuda Beri.
Events will be a fight between good students with giant birds invite the audience to see it. They see there will be a fight between Garuda Beri with good students. The Donan residents were eagerly awaiting the moments of the fight.
Waiting for the arrival of strange creatures, Bgaus Santri cross-legged in panggok while meditating while asking for God Almighty's help in order to successfully carry out its sacred mission, crushing Garuda Beri. Shortly thereafter, from the south (P. A black shadow is visible in space. The shadow was getting closer to the good position of students.
The people who saw him were terrified and wondered what would happen. Garuda Beri probably assumed that the white blob was a cow or a large goat that could be preyed upon. Garuda Beri several times circled and observed the white object, until apparently he believed that what he faced was the delicious magsa.
With alacrity Garuda Beri then grabbed his prey., Nice students wrapped in white cloth. Meanwhile, it is good that Santri is ready to give resistance. When Garuda Beri dived down, good Snatri into the hole that has been prepared. When the claws of Garuda Beri stood on the hole, Bagus Santri swiftly stuck heirloom Cis Kasur Upih on the thigh of the giant bird. The bird roared in pain and flew back into space.
Garuda Beri, who had suffered a wound on his thigh, had no balance in swinging his body in space. The animal then perched on a very large ketapang tree on the edge of a Cilacap Beach. The giant tree was unable to withstand the heavy weight of the giant bird's body until its twisted branches almost touched the ground.
Garuda beri was about to fly back, and because his body had been severely injured, he could only hover at a low altitude. Scratches due to punctures pusaka Demak iyu caused Garuda Beri's immune system to decline sharply and finally fell to the banks of a tributary not far from the eastern Donan River.
People believe that the story about the death of the Garuda Beri Bird is evidenced by historical relics in the form of a place in Cilacap known as ”Grumbul Ketapang Dengklok”. This means that the settlement where the Ketapang tree is begkok due to not ampu withstand the weight of the Garuda bird berries are sick near death.
The success of Bagus Santri killing Garuda gave joy throughout the Duchy of Donan. Joy looks once diraut face of the Duke who then pressed Bagus Santri and hugged him tightly. Meanwhile, the people cheered the heroism of good students.
The joy of the Donan people can be understood because with garuda Beri killed, the gripping feeling they feel every day has disappeared. Meanwhile, the Duke also felt that he had managed to save his people from distress.
Duke Donan was not short of promise, he immediately handed over his beautiful daughter to Bagus Santri, but Bagus Santri did not immediately receive the Princess's gift.
Bagus Santri actually gave the princess to become the wife of Duke Bagong, a Duke in Limbangan. Good reason students do not accept the princess because good Snatri not yet want to get married and still love to travel to spread Islam.
Good students who are quite clever it turns out is Sunan Kalijaga. He got the task from the Sultan of Demak to find and take back the Demak inheritance Cis Kasur Upih. thus, the story of the events in the Duchy of Donan is can be considered as the early period of the spread of Islam in Cilacap antics.