Legenda Joko Tarub ~ Cerita Rakyat Jawa Timur | Dongeng Kita

Summary

The legendary tale of Joko Tarub, a popular story from the Javanese folklore, unfolds in the village of Widodaren in East Java. Joko Tarub, raised by a widow named Mbok Rondo Tarub, grows up to be a kind-hearted young man. After her death, Joko becomes disheartened and ventures into the forest, where he encounters a celestial maiden, Nawang Wulan. They marry, and Joko later discovers Nawang Wulan's supernatural abilities, including the power to cook rice from a single grain. However, upon learning that Joko hid her magical garment, Nawang Wulan leaves him, only returning to nurse their child, Nawangsih, each night. This story blends themes of love, trust, and the mystical connection between humans and the divine.

Takeaways

• 😀 Joko Tarub is a legendary figure from the Javanese folklore, popular in Central and East Java, particularly in the village of Widodaren in Ngawi, East Java.
• 😀 The story begins with a widow named Mbok Rondo Tarub, who raised an orphaned baby boy named Joko Tarub with love and care.
• 😀 Joko Tarub grew up to be a helpful and industrious young man, assisting his adoptive mother in the fields and also enjoying hunting in the forest.
• 😀 One day, after the death of Mbok Rondo Tarub, Joko Tarub lost his motivation and became melancholic, neglecting his work and the family farm.
• 😀 Joko Tarub, in a dream, craved delicious venison, leading him to hunt a deer, but he was unsuccessful. He ventured deeper into the forest, where he found a hidden waterfall.
• 😀 Seven celestial maidens (Bidadari) descend to bathe in the waterfall, and one of their magical garments, a selendang (scarf), is blown away by the wind and falls near Joko Tarub.
• 😀 Joko Tarub finds the selendang and later discovers a beautiful maiden, Nawang Wulan, who is unable to return to the heavens without it.
• 😀 Joko Tarub and Nawang Wulan meet, and he offers her shelter. Eventually, they marry and have a daughter named Nawangsih.
• 😀 Despite living happily with Nawang Wulan, Joko Tarub becomes suspicious about their food supply, as the rice in their storage never decreases.
• 😀 One day, out of curiosity, Joko Tarub opens the rice cooker against Nawang Wulan's instructions and discovers that she had been using a single grain of rice to cook an entire pot of rice.
• 😀 Upon discovering that Joko Tarub had hidden her selendang, Nawang Wulan is heartbroken and leaves him, only returning at night to nurse their child, Nawangsih. She departs for the heavens once again, ending their marriage.

Q & A

What is the significance of Joko Tarub in Javanese folklore?

Joko Tarub is a well-known figure in Javanese folklore, especially in Central and East Java. His story is one of the most popular legends in Indonesia, embodying themes of love, betrayal, and the interaction between humans and supernatural beings.

Where does the story of Joko Tarub take place?

The story of Joko Tarub takes place in the village of Widodaren, located in Gerih District, Ngawi Regency, East Java. The name 'Widodaren' comes from the Javanese term 'widodari', meaning 'angel' or 'fairy'.

What is the connection between Joko Tarub and the character Mbok Rondo Tarub?

Joko Tarub is adopted by a widow named Mbok Rondo Tarub, who raises him as her own child. He grows up with her, helping her with daily tasks and taking care of the land. When Mbok Rondo Tarub passes away, Joko Tarub becomes deeply saddened.

How does Joko Tarub meet Nawang Wulan, the celestial maiden?

Joko Tarub meets Nawang Wulan, a celestial maiden, when he is hunting in the forest. After a series of events, Joko Tarub finds her lost selendang (shawl), which allows her to return to the heavens. She is unable to fly back without it, and Joko Tarub hides it, eventually leading to their meeting and marriage.

Why does Joko Tarub hide Nawang Wulan's selendang?

Joko Tarub hides Nawang Wulan's selendang because he falls in love with her and wants to keep her on Earth. This act of deception leads to the eventual unraveling of their relationship, as Nawang Wulan is unable to return to the heavens.

What unusual ability does Nawang Wulan have regarding rice?

Nawang Wulan has the magical ability to cook a whole pot of rice from just a single grain. This supernatural ability ensures that Joko Tarub's rice supply never runs out, even though it should logically diminish with daily use.

What happens when Joko Tarub disobeys Nawang Wulan's instructions regarding the rice cooking?

When Joko Tarub disobeys Nawang Wulan's instructions and opens the rice steamer, he discovers that Nawang Wulan had been using only a single grain of rice to cook an entire pot. This discovery leads to him realizing the true nature of his wife and breaking her trust.

How does Nawang Wulan react after discovering that Joko Tarub hid her selendang?

Nawang Wulan becomes very angry when she discovers that Joko Tarub hid her selendang. She decides to leave him, expressing that she cannot live with someone who has deceived her. She also makes Joko Tarub promise to take care of their daughter, Nawangsih.

What happens to Nawang Wulan after she leaves Joko Tarub?

After leaving Joko Tarub, Nawang Wulan returns to the heavens, taking her selendang with her. However, she continues to visit their daughter, Nawangsih, every night to breastfeed her, keeping a promise to her daughter despite being separated from Joko Tarub.

What moral lessons can be drawn from the story of Joko Tarub?

The story of Joko Tarub teaches lessons about the consequences of deceit, the importance of trust in relationships, and the complex interactions between humans and the supernatural. It also highlights themes of love, loss, and responsibility, especially regarding the care and well-being of family.