From : Galang Adhi Pradipta
The Legend of Kesodo Feast
Hundreds years ago, the last king of
Majapahit had a young princess from one of his wives. The princess was named
Roro Anteng. Later, Roro Anteng married Joko Seger, who came from Brahman
caste.
Because of unfortunate situation the
couple was forced to leave the kingdom. They settled in the mountain area. They
ruled the area and named it Tengger, which was derived from their names, Roro
Anteng and Joko Seger.
After several years of reign, the region
flourished in prosperity, but Roro Anteng and Joko Seger were sad because they
did not have a child. They climbed the top of mountain and prayed there night
and day hoping that the God would listen. The prayer was heard and Betoro Bromo
promised to give them many children. However, they had to promise that they
would sacrifice their youngest child in return.
Roro
Anteng gave birth to a child, then another and another. In the end, Roro
Anteng and Joko Seger had 25 children. Soon it was time to sacrifice the
youngest child , Kusuma, but the parents could not do it. They tried to hide
him, but an eruption happened and Kusuma fell into the crater. There was
silence before they heard a voice. “I have to be sacrificed so that you will all stay alive. From now on, you should arrange an annual offering ceremony on
the 14th of
Kesodo (the twelfth month of Tengerese calendar)”. It was Kusuma’s voice.
Kusuma’s brothers and sisters held the offering ceremony every year. Instead of
human being, they collected fruits, vegetables, rice, and meat to be off to the
Gods. And this has been done generation after generation until today.
