nyai roro kidul human to myth. where is kidul from?
Post on 19-Jan-2016
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Nyai Roro Kidul
Human to Myth
Where is Kidul from?
Mataram
A Myth is Born...Most tales have Kidul banished to a forest where she
wandered until she came to the cliffs overlooking the
southern sea (Indian Ocean). This is where the various
myths begin to emerge. Some authors claim that Kidul
threw herself into the waves in desperation, after which
she was drawn into the depths of the ocean to a palace
where she was crowned the Queen of the Southern Seas,
where she now resides over the evil spirits of Java.
However, a majority of authors say that Kidul heard
voices of spirits or gods urging her to enter the broiling
waves so that she might regain her former beauty and
become the queen of the spirit world.
But How?Kidul was able to become a fabled
figure due to preexisting beliefs of
her socio-geographical area, its
cultural use of symbolism, and the
roles females assumed as rulers.
Pre-existing Beliefs
• There is a general tradition in Mataram that founders of new states
must marry princesses who come from supernatural origins. This is
important because the society of Mataram would want to explain
why their king’s consort was exiled from her kingdom in the first
place. Otherwise, Kidul would be unable to assimilate into the
preconceived notion that the rulers of Mataram were supernatural.
Therefore, it would stand to fit that the society of Mataram would
create and spread a myth about her in order to accept her into their
culture.
SymbolisimKidul is often characterized as a snake-like figure
which is an important factor because snake-spirits are
symbols known and used throughout the Indonesian
archipelago. In the region, snakes are often the
physical manifestation of tutelary spirits and are
perceived to the local owners of the soil and guardians
of its fertility, wealth, and welfare. Kidul is often
characterized as a snake-like figure which is an
important factor because snake-spirits are symbols
known and used throughout the Indonesian
archipelago. In the region, snakes are often the
physical manifestation of tutelary spirits and are
perceived to the local owners of the soil and guardians
of its fertility, wealth, and welfare.
Roles Females Assumed When Ruling
A ruler’s consort was partially
responsible for the fertility of the
region and promotion of fertility
is symbolized through water. As
mentioned before, Kidul is closely
connected to the water,
therefore, what is required from
the royal consort can be
construed as mystical,
exemplifying Kidul’s growing
mysticism
Therefore....
Nyai Roro Kidul was able to undergo a metamorphosis from a historical figure to a mystical
being because of the preexisting beliefs in her geographical area, the cultural use of symbolism, and
the role females assumed when ruling.
Cultural Relevance to This Day
Questions???
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