Once upon a time, in eastern
part of Java Island, there was a kingdom ruled by a king. The king’s name was
Prabu Menak Prakoso. One day, Prabu Menak and his soldiers invaded the kingdom
of Klungkung in Bali. The king of Klungkung was killed, yet his daughter, Made
Surati, and his son, Agung Bagus Mantra, were able to escape and hide in the
jungle.
Prabu Menak Prakoso had a son
named Raden Banterang. He was such a handsome young man. One day, Raden
Banterang went to the jungle for hunting. It was in the jungle that Raden
Banterang met Made Surati. She was then taken to Blambangan to be his wife.
Raden Banterang and Made Surati enjoyed a happy life in the Palace.
When Raden Banterang was
hunting one day, Made Surati was surprised by the arrival of a dirty beggar
asking for her pity. The princess was surprised to find that the beggar was her
older brother, Agung Bagus Mantra. She promptly squatted and embraced her
brother’s legs. However, her great respect of her brother was not well
accepted. Instead, Agung Bagus Mantra asked his sister to kill Raden Banterang.
But such a request was rejected. He was very angry with her andcame up with a
sly idea to slander her.
Slowly but surely, Agung
succeeded in convincing Raden Banterang that his wife had been involved in a
scandal with another man. Asking for compassion, Made Surati tried to tell the
truth and denied her husband’s accusation. Hearing his wife explanation, the
king became angrier and angrier. As a proof of her sacred love, she asked her
husband to kill her. As her last request, she asked her husband to throw her
dead body into the river. She said that if the water in the river smelled
terrible, it meant that she had ever been sinful. But if it smelled fragrant,
it meant that she was innocent.
Raden Banterang who was
unable to control his emotions soon stabbed his kerís (dagger) into his wife’s
chest. She died instantly. The dead body of Made Surati was quickly thrown into
the dirty river. Raden Banterang was shocked to see the river suddenly become
clean and as clear as glass with a fragrant smell. Raden Banteraflll screamed
crazily and regretted his deed. He walked unsteadìly and fell into the river
screaming, “Banyu… Wangì… Banyuwangi!” This means “fragrant water”.
Banyuwangi was born from the
proof of noble and sacred love. From then on, the place is called Banyuwangi.
