Narrative text Kasada Ceremony (1) According to the story, the origin of Kasada ceremony occurred a few centuries ago during the last reign of the Majapahit Kingdom. The king was Briwijaya. The empress was blessed with a daughter named Roro Anteng. Then Princes Roro Anteng got married with a young man from Brahmin caste named Jaka Seger. (2) When Majapahit Empire began to decline because of an unfortunate situation, the royal couple, Rara Anteng and Jaka Seger, and some relatives were forced to leave the kingdom to east towards mountains region. Rara Anteng and Jaka Seger built settlements and then ruled in the area called Purbowasesa Mangkurat ing Tengger, meaning “The Great and Just Lord of Tengger.“ Tengger was taken from the final syllables of Rara Anteng and Jaka Seger. The word also means Tenggering Tengger Budi Luhur or the introduction of high moral, a symbol of eternal peace. From time to time, Tenggerese maintained prosperous and peaceful life, but Rara Anteng and Jaka Seger did not feel happy because after a while the couple had not yet been blessed with children. (3) Frustrated, they climbed the top of the mountain and prayed night and day hoping that the gods would listen. Suddenly, there was a voice saying they would be granted with many children. However, the couple had to promise that they would sacrifice the youngest child to the crater of Mount Bromo in return. The couple accepted it. They got 25 sons and daughters, but as parents, they still could not bear losing their youngest child, Kesumo. Then, Rara Anteng and Jaka Seger broke their promise. They tried to hide the child and God became angry. An eruption threatening and Kesuma fell into the crater. The youngest child was out of sight and sucked into the crater of Mount Bromo. (4) Kesuma’s voice was heard, “Brothers and sisters whom I love, I have been sacrificed by our parents and Hyang Widi to save you all. Live in peace and quiet, worship Hyang Widi. I remind you that on the 14 th day of the Month of Kasada, you should send offerings to Hyang Widi in the crater of Mount Bromo. Kesuma’s brothers and sisters held the offering ceremony every year. Instead of human being, the people collected fruits, vegetables, rice, chicken and meat to be offered to the gods. This custom was followed from generation to generation in Tengger and every year a ceremony was held at Poten Kasada sea sand and crater of Mount Bromo. 1
