WATU GILANG: The Story and Its Belief

• published: 21 Jun 2014
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Myths are prose narratives which, in the society in which they are told, are considered to be truthful accounts of what happened in the remote past. They are accepted on faith; they are taught to be believed; and they can be cited as authority in answer to ignorance, doubt, or disbelief. Myths are sacred, and their main characters are not usually human beings, but they often have human attributes; they are animals, deities, or culture heroes, whose actions are set in an earlier world. Myths account for the origin of the world, of mankind, of death, or the phenomena of nature. (William Bascom: 1965). Yogyakarta city is well-known as its unique tourisms with variety of myths behind its histories, so it is not surprising if many tourists and researchers casually come to this city only for recreation or get some observations here. Watu Gilang is one of many unique tourism sites which is located on Watu Gilang Street, Kotagede, the oldest and small city in Yogyakarta which strongly reminds us about the first Empire of Mataram Islam in 16th Century, it is not surprising if it has mystical stories behind its history which is still kept until now. Watu Gilang is a big black stone which is square-shaped with a size of approximately 2x2 meters and wedged in between two big bayan trees, for some people it is believed as sacred stone for those who pray through that stone will be immediately delivered to God because of its supernatural elements that implicit in that stone and its supernatural elements are not apart from its mystical history. According to our research person; Mr. Subarto, the door-keeper of Watu Gilang Site, Panembahan Senopati, also known as Raden Sutawijaya, was the first ruler (king) in Mataram Kingdom. However, there are inhabitants in that area who disobeyed his rules, and one of them is Ki Ageng Mangir. Panembahan Senopati was very angry because he found out that there were people who disobeyed his rules, he wanted to take revenge to them, especially to Ki Ageng Mangir. Knowing that Ki Ageng Mangir liked to watch dance performances, Ki Juru Martani, the advisor of Panembahan Senopati, had an idea to make it as the way to take revenge to him. He asked Ni Pembayun to pass off as a dancer. After Ki Ageng Mangir watched the dance performances by Ni Pembayun, he fell in love with the lady and wanted her to be his wife. Panembahan Senopati was so satisfied because his trick was going to be successful. Then, Ni Pembayun asked her father's permission to marry Ki Ageng Mangir, but Panembahan Senopati wanted Ki Ageng Mangir to face him to ask his permission to marry his daughter. Then, Ki Ageng Mangir followed along his request and came to Panembahan Senopati's place. Then, when Ki Ageng Mangir was kneeling to Panembahan Senopati, Panembahan Senopati pushed Ki Ageng Mangir's head to his throne (Watu Gilang) and Ki Ageng Mangir died. As sacred stone, Watu Gilang is also believed as a source that brings fortune for human life. The society around that place believes if they pray and bring the gift to the stone, all of their wishes will be granted. But now, only a part of them who still believe on supernatural power which is implicit in that stone. Some people believe because the stone used to be a mediation place for the first king of Mataram Kingdom, Panembahan Senopati, he is well known as the person who had supernatural power at that time, so they believe by praying through the stone the supernatural power of Panembahan Senopati which is implicit in that stone will be infected to their prayer, so it can be the connection to be closer to God. Because of its supernatural power, Watu Gilang is also well known and believed by some people from out of town. It is proven when they come to Kotagede, Yogyakarta only to see and pray to the stone. Their wishes are various but most of their wishes are asking for success and mate. The proof of Watu Gilang's supernatural power is only felt by people who believe the power of that stone. Based on the characteristics we find on The Forms of Folklore: Prose Narratives by William Bascom, Watu Gilang site can be classified as Myth or sacred story, which main characters are culture heroes, whose actions are set in an earlier world. Panembahan Senopati, who is also known as Raden Sutawijaya, the first ruler or King in Mataram Kingdom is a proof which is culture heroes existed in Watu Gilang, his actions and supernatural power lived or existed in an earlier world. Produced by: Melinda Kurniati (13/345218/SA/16841) Alya Rahma Putri (13/345222/SA/16845) Yeni Anjarwati (13/350157/SA/17057) Directed by: Melinda Kurniati Original music: "Sailing On Autumn Leaves" by Bottlesmoker Reference: The Forms of Folklore: Prose Narratives (1965) by William Bascom Interviewee: Mr. Subarto The door-keeper of Watu Gilang Site