The story you're about to read is a popular tale from the land of Java. The tale about the man who created a dynasty that ruled Java. It's a bloody history. This man name was Ken Angrok (or Ken Arok), he built great kingdom called Singasari in which with the involvement of Mongol's Kublai Khan, his Kingdom was ruined, and his descendants created a new great Kingdom called Majapahit, a prototype for modern-day Indonesia you see on the map.
I won't tell a complete tale about how he built Singasari. Instead, I just try to recollect my memories about a fragment from Ken Angrok's life story. I heard it a lot when I was a kid. The story was told orally. I'll try my best to keep it as a story. I do modify some aspects here and there. Hope you'll enjoy it.
My name is Ken. Ken Angrok. People say I'm a troublemaker. Well, I do love to fight. I've done so many robberies. I always cheated on gambling. When they noticed me cheating, they'll try to beat me. But they're all weak. I beat them instead.
I was born in a village near the Brantas River. My mother is Ken Endok. My father was a Brahmin from Kediri. He's an important figure for the kingdom. I don't like him. He abandoned me and my mother. Perhaps if I meet him someday, I will beat him too. Since I'm strong. Probably the strongest guy in my village. I should thank mister Lembong for that. He made me the toughest fighter. He's a thief by the way. A really famous one.
One day, there were bunch people sent from the capital city of Kediri to catch Lembong. I was ready for it. They're a bunch of losers. I just stand at the center of the market, waiting for them to come. They were 40 people.
"You loser want to capture Lembong?! Fight me first!" I shouted at them.
All the merchants were closing their stands and started to gather around us. They knew, there will be a great fighting show soon.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Lembong's man. His most trusted attendant." I gave them my innocent smile.
Without further notice, They came at once, with swords, stick, knife, anything. I use my bare hand. People were shouting, clapping. Until several hours later, 39 men were down. I was covered in blood, wounded, but still have strong willing to win the fight.
Gosh, this last man was tough. He managed to deny all my attack. I tried to punch his nose, only to find a thin air. Tried to kick his stomach, legs, but he just disappeared. My attacks never met the target. And suddenly he was at my back. He hit my neck so hard. I think I fainted. Suddenly all went black. When everything was clear and bright, I was in Tumapel region. To my surprise, I wasn't in jail. I was at his house.
Later, he became my mentor. His name is Lohgawe, or you should call him with a noble name "Mpu" since he's no ordinary man. Mpu Lohgawe took me as his disciple. The one and only student he ever had.
"Ken Angrok, you are no ordinary guy," one day he said to me, "I will turn you into a great man."
"Well, thank you," I reply, "You're only stating the fact. I know I am great."
Next thing I know, everything went black. He did it again, hit me on the back of my neck.
Mpu Lohgawe is a nobleman. When he speaks, people listen. Even Tunggul Ametung, the chief of Tumapel is listening to every word come from Lohgawe's mouth. I know this because, yes, we were meeting the Tumapel chief. I don't know the occasion. He was blabbing out about something uninteresting.
Or maybe he said something interesting. I don't know. My minds are blocked. You know what? The chief's wife is so beautiful! Her smile, her hair, her skin, all perfect! Oh, she smells so good! And when she was getting up from her chair, a strong wind suddenly blew. Her dress was lifted a little bit. I swear I saw her legs. Damn! Her legs were shining so bright! That's the most beautiful legs I ever see.
What is this?! She's a queen! I'm only a thief!
Her name is Ken Dedes. God, that beautiful legs keep haunting me for days. I can't stand it anymore. I told this matter to Lohgawe.
"You see Ken Angrok," Lohgawe speaks with his deep, heavy voice, "she is really a queen."
"No, she isn't. She's only a wife of Tumapel chief. And what is Tumapel compared to Kediri?"
"You'd better listen to me, young man. I said it clearly, Ken Dedes will be a queen."
Months have passed, Ken Dedes still keep coming in my wildest dreams. But I have a wife now, her name is Ken Umang. She's pregnant. Lohgawe helps me a lot. He managed to get me a steady job. Now, I'm an officer of Tumapel. What a peaceful time for Tumapel. All the thugs were too afraid to move, knowing that I was ruling the town.
Until one day...
I feel the need for a new keris to retain my power and charisma. This weapon should be created by the best keris maker in Java, Mpu Gandring. He's a dear friend of Lohgawe. He should help his best friend one and only disciple.
I was right. Mpu Gandring so happy to make a keris for me.
"But you should know that a great keris could take months to create," said Mpu Gandring.
"How long?"
"That depends. We'll wait for a falling star. Because the sky stone will be the main ingredient for your dagger."
"And how do you manage to catch a falling star?"
"I am Mpu Gandring, son," he laughed, "I know things. Do you know last keris I made?"
I shake my head.
"I made it by catching a lightning during a thunderstorm, with my bare hand!"
That's Mpu Gandring for you.
It's been 5 months since I met Mpu Gandring. I think the Keris should be ready by now. So I went to his place. As usual, that old man was busy grinding stone and iron. He looks much older, and tired.
"O, Ken Angrok! I'm afraid the Keris is not ready yet!"
"Why not? It's been 5 months?!"
"I need to fill it with more white magic, so it won't be an evil keris."
"What do you mean?'
"O, Ken Angrok, this keris should be protected from the evil spirit within you. I know your dreams, son. That was a filthy dream. She's Tunggul Ametung's wife, for God sake."
"What do you know about that?!" I shouted to him, "Did Lohgawe said something about me?!"
"No, son," he laughed softly, "I'm Mpu Gandring. I know things. You should care about your own wife. Oh, and Ken Dedes is pregnant too."
I don't know what get inside me. But hearing this know-it-all old man blabbering words about the woman of my dreams, I don't like it at all. And his keris making is so slow. I saw the Keris was already in a great shape. Seems good to me.
I grabbed the Keris from his workshop.
"No!" He shouted, "it's not ready yet!"
"Nah, seems ready to me." I laughed.
"Okay. Take it then. But you, Ken Angrok, mark my words here. You yourself would be killed by that cursed dagger."
"No, I won't."
The Keris in my hand was shaking. I could feel the coldness crawled from the wooden handle through my skin. What is this? Is this the power of keris?
Release me..., I hear a voice whispered in my ear.
The keris handle became colder and colder. My hand was not strong enough to hold it. I released it.
The keris then moving on its own. At one second, it suddenly flew to Mpu Gandring chest. A second later, it coming back to my hand.
Mpu Gandring was lying on the floor with the wound on his chest. Blood starts to spread making his white clothes red.
"Sigh... even I know that I would die like this," he smiles, "and cursed you, Ken Angrok, you and seven generations of your descendants would be killed by this keris, too"
I couldn't speak. Everything was so confusing. What's with this keris power. Did I just kill Lohgawe's dearest friend? Oh, I'll be damned. What's with his last word? Me and my descendants killed by this cursed keris?
I spent a night at Mpu Gandring house. Crying like a baby. Before dawn, I buried his body in his backyard, along with some of his stones and irons. Great man, Mpu Gandring. I will always admire you.
When the sun is up, I'm already heading to Tumapel. My new Keris on my hips. God, I could feel the power of this keris. I think I can compete with Tunggul Ametung.
Why don't you taking the position as a Tumapel chief?
I hear the strange voice whispered softly.
So that you can make Ken Dedes yours..
Gosh. It didn't make any sense. Although at the same time, it feels so doable. But first, I need a plan. The keris was flying from my hips. It always flew beside me on my way to Tumapel, to Lohgawe's house...
(To be continued)
Historical References
Singhasari Kingdom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singhasari
Majapahit Kingdom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majapahit
Keris https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris
This is an entry for @sankofa contest. If you love to retelling a folktale you've heard in the past, this is a really fun contest to join! Check it out:
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Oral traditions become durable when we write them down. You have done that for all of us. Thank you for sharing your cultural heritage
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I like this story.
Good story. Ken arok and ken dedes.
That's gripping! We look to a completion of this epic tale. Thank you for entering our contest with this installment of your folk story. Good luck.