Asal Usul Kota Wonogiri | Cerita Rakyat Jawa Tengah | Kisah Nusantara

Summary

In this captivating tale, Sunan Giri embarks on a journey to find the perfect teak wood for the Grand Mosque in Demak, guided by divine faith. Along the way, he encounters a mysterious figure, Wasingo, who follows him through forests and hills. After meeting the humble Ki Donosari, the owner of the forest, Sunan Giri is gifted a large, ancient teak tree. As he completes his journey, he names the place Gunung Giri in honor of his experience and Wasingo’s transformation into a lion, becoming the guardian of the mountain. This story blends spirituality, nature, and history, showcasing the Walisongo's impact on the spread of Islam in Java.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story is set in Demak, where plans were made to build the Great Mosque as a center for spreading Islam.
• 😀 Raden Patah and the Walisongo (Nine Saints) decided that each saint would provide a supporting pillar made of large, old teak wood for the mosque.
• 😀 Sunan Giri was tasked with finding a suitable teak tree and embarked on a long journey through the southern forests to find one.
• 😀 Along the journey, Sunan Giri sensed he was being followed by a mysterious figure, which caused him some discomfort.
• 😀 Despite being followed, Sunan Giri continued his journey with a sense of spiritual calm, occasionally trying to elude the figure in playful ways.
• 😀 Sunan Giri reached a hill overlooking the Bengawan Solo River, where he found many young teak trees but none large enough for the mosque pillars.
• 😀 He eventually noticed the mysterious figure hiding behind a tree, which prompted him to pray for guidance from Allah.
• 😀 Sunan Giri found a vast and dense teak forest in the south and, after some worry, sought the owner of the forest, Ki Donosari.
• 😀 After meeting Ki Donosari, Sunan Giri was granted permission to cut down a large, straight teak tree called Jati Cempurung to be used for the mosque.
• 😀 On his way back, Sunan Giri encountered the mysterious figure again, who revealed himself as Wasingo, a follower who had been silently shadowing him.
• 😀 Sunan Giri named the forest 'Wonogiri' (forest of mountains) and the area around the tree 'Gunung Giri' (mountain of Giri) as a symbolic act of gratitude and recognition.
• 😀 The story concludes with Wasingo transforming into a lion, becoming the guardian of Gunung Giri, further cementing the mystical connection between Sunan Giri and the land.

Q & A

What was the purpose of Sunan Giri's journey in the script?

Sunan Giri's journey was to find a suitable old, large, and tall teak tree to be used as a support pillar for the construction of the Demak Grand Mosque, as part of a decision made by Raden Patah and the Walisongo.

What strange event did Sunan Giri experience during his search for the teak tree?

Sunan Giri noticed that someone was following him during his journey. Despite feeling observed, he maintained a positive outlook and even played pranks on the mysterious figure, hiding and running to see if the person would follow.

Who was the mysterious figure following Sunan Giri, and what was his reason for doing so?

The mysterious figure was a man named Wasingo, who was following Sunan Giri out of curiosity and a sense of duty. He was hesitant to approach Sunan Giri but followed him because his heart guided him to do so.

What did Sunan Giri do when he realized someone had been following him?

Sunan Giri eventually confronted the mysterious figure, Wasingo, and learned that Wasingo had been following him out of respect and fear. Sunan Giri then spoke kindly to him and gave him his staff as a gesture of goodwill.

How did Sunan Giri find the appropriate teak tree for the mosque?

After wandering through dense forests, Sunan Giri came across a small hut belonging to Ki Donosari, the guardian of the forest. Ki Donosari led him to a large, straight, and ancient teak tree, which Sunan Giri then decided to use for the mosque's pillar.

What was the significance of the name 'Wonogiri' in the script?

'Wonogiri' was the name Sunan Giri gave to the area he passed through during his journey. The name is derived from 'wono,' meaning forest, and 'giri,' meaning mountain, symbolizing the region's natural features.

What role did Ki Donosari play in Sunan Giri's quest?

Ki Donosari was the owner of the forest where Sunan Giri found the teak tree. He generously allowed Sunan Giri to take the tree and helped him transport it by guiding it down the Keduang River.

What was the unusual event that occurred during the transportation of the teak tree?

While transporting the teak tree down the Keduang River, the tree felt unusually light, which was attributed to the presence of a pesinden (singer) who sang traditional macapat songs during the journey. This singing seemed to make the heavy tree easier to carry.

What names did Sunan Giri give to the places he encountered on his journey?

Sunan Giri named the forest 'Donoloyo' and the area near the river 'Wonogiri,' reflecting the natural surroundings and his experiences there.

What happened to Wasingo after he received Sunan Giri's staff?

Wasingo, after receiving Sunan Giri's staff, became a witness to the naming of the area as Gunung Giri. Later, he is said to have transformed into a lion, becoming the guardian of Gunung Giri after his death.