In Fact, Many Similarities Are Being Found Between Ball and Kuningan

KUNIIVGAIV

( Part 1 )

_JLittle Paradise_

Of about 35 km southwards from Tjirebon-city, up to the hills, on the slope of Gunung Tjiremai is locating small-town Ku-ningan. Its mountainous area with magnificent sceneries to Tjirebon-val-ley far beneath and molt ing over into everblue of the Java Sea on yonder side. All these charms are forming Kuningan a really refreshment after the bust ling-dusty hotness of the harbour city Tjirebon.

Was it not self-evident that long time ago in the-glorious days of Sunan Gu nung Jati, his Chinese con sort Ong Tien Nio, accustomed to the climate in her Netherland preferred to stay in this little paradise. Because, really. Kuni ngan is a paradise alike. Speaking of paradise, we are remembered of another paradise: of Bali.

In fact, many similarities are being found between Ball and kuningan.

Nearly all existence in Bali are introduced with pura gate.

Then is Kuningan in Ba li a ritual, and so on.

The fertile land of Kuningan with its streaming rivers and creaks has made similar custim among the folk. Women carrying along big-bronze wa tercans on their heads to and from home to streaming waters are daily sight of the day. And further, also women of Kuningan are used to carry along huge bamboo baskets on their heads like women in Bali do during sacrifice rituals to temples etc.

Entering the area.alrea-

dy in the cool hills located the warm-water spring Sangkanhurip. In the near nes, were upwards Ling garjati with water recrea-ation and splendid sightseeings. Then we begin to enter small-town Kuningan it self, after passing another splendid water-recreation center namely Tiibulan. But we shall take Kuningan first and Tjibulan next after Kuningan.

SMALL TOWN KUNINGAN

From Tjirebon-city area with its mingled folk, were turning over to Javanese and full memories of glorious Islamic preachings, we are brought to Sundanese character-colours of Kuningan at the South. From memories of royal household together with its pangerans and ratus (prin cess and princesses) now we come in touch with agricultu re and peasants.

ARIA KAMUNING: founder of Kuningan.

The devided dynasty of Tji rebon aristocracy which had also bring about differen cy of opinions and way of thingkings. could also be observed as soon as we begin digging into the past of Kuningan. For. it is believed that Pangeran Aria Kamuning. founder of Kuningan was a son to Sunan Gunung Jati and the Chinese consort Ong Tine Nion. later on surnamed Rara Sumanding.

From this legend of Aria Kamuning are presented to me several versions. In most ly all versions is said that Pangeran Aria Kuningan was Sunan Gunung Jati's son him self born from Rara Sumanding. But in Tjirebon city, is telling that since Rara Suman ding had no child; such she had taken Pangeran Aria Ka miming to fosterson. On the contrary, most versions in l\u ningan are telling us that Adi pati Kwangga had taken Sunan Gunung Jati's and Rara Sumanding s son to fosterson. These varied opinions are of

its own accord sprouted from several branches of the devided dynasty.

Anyhow, herewith the writer would like to present you some of those versions, com piled by a special committee namelv "Panitya Khusus Pe-nvelidikan Sejarah Aria Kamu , ning di Kuningan. 1971."

THE ORIGIN OF KUNINGAN:

Version 1.

' 1^ happened that Sunan Gu nung Jati wason one of his Islamic preaching-tours some where in the heart of China. It could be added that on this part of China cq. Tartar, are being found many Moslims among the people, up until nowadays.

Since his fame had already spread far and wide to anot . her countries, such the king of Tartar summoned him to the palace. The king was about to examine Syarif Hida yatulla's famous abilities. For that reason he had ordered to fasten a bokor kuningan (Bras bowl) on part of one of his daughter's belly, giving the look as if she was a mother in waiting. This daughter was princess Ong Tien Nio.

It was told that on the mo ment of happening, when the question was forwarded to him before an audience of high officials and members of the court in the throne-hall : "Please, could you tell us fa mous teacher the exact month of her pregnancy. And what should the coming baby be : male or female ?"

And firmly. Sjarif Hidaya-tullahs' answers came : "If 1 am not wrong, it is may be between the 2nd and the 3rd month. And Your Majesty would be rewarded with a healthy baby-boy."

"Impertinent." and full of anger the king ordered to send Sjarif Hidayatullah out of the country, back to his own place far over the ocean, where lie belonged.

Infact, princess Ong Tien Nio. had not yet married and was still virgin. The trick had completely succeeded. Crisped bv rude hands. Syarif Hidaya tullarTvvas not on a prow and given over to the mighty ocean.

It happened that after various adventurous events and straggling lonely against migh ty natural phonomenas like storm, rain, thunder and hot sunshine Syarif Hidayatullah, with Gods blessings, finally landed safely on shore of his Tijrebon again.

It was told that princess Ong Tien Nio, after Syarif Hidayatullah was sent away, back to his land again, got a terrible schok and fainted. After that appeared that she was really expecting a baby. Shame to the royal-family, shame to the royal house.

It Was told that the king of Tartar had his daughter princess Ong Tien Nio in accompany of special envoys and completely equiped war riors with a fleet of ship to Tjirebon at Java's north coast. The envoys had to refer their king's message :

1. Apologize Syarif Hidaya tullah of the king's hostily ac tion.

2. Handing over princess Ong Tin Nio concerned.

It was sell-evident that to gether with this going, the princess had taken with many Chinese utensile and wares such like porcelain and bras thing etc., etc.

Those heirlooms are stillbe sighted at the cemetery of Sunan Gunung Jati and All Jumhur Mosque in Kraton Ka sepuhan Tjirebon. /

It happened that after land ing in Tjirebon, they all were heartily welcomed by Syarif / Hidayatullah (Sunan Gunung Jati), where a great-wedding feast was arranged in honour of the marrieage of Sunan Gunung Jati to Princess Ong Tien Nio. •

But when this wedding was , closed, there was another con sort of Sunan Gunung Ja"ii al ready reciding in the kraton of Tjirebon, namely Ratu Mas Pakungsati. daughter to Pangeran Tjakrabuana, founder of Tjirebon and uncle of Su nan Gunung Jati himselves.

Also the kraton in Tjirebon, residence of Sunan Gunung Jati was named after her cq. kraton Pakungsati. Was it for this reason or may be the hot dusty climate, that Princess Ong Tien Nio had choosen re sidence in the cool mountains? Such she was brought to Lura

gung, where she name under suspicion of Adipati Prangga of Luragung. In this cool mountain paradise, finally was born Pangeran Aria Kamu ning.

Because of his yelowish skin like that of his mother's, Pa ngeran Aria Kamuning was often surnamed Pangeran Ku ninp (yellow). Also the brass-bowl . (bokor kuningan) was ,, taken with to Luragung. And to this KUNINGAN, the small-town founded by Pange ran Aria Kamuning was called Kuningan. .

From this Pangeran Aria Ka miming was said, that he was exalted to heaven together with his physical body (ngahi yang) like customs of aristocracy in that days ('cremated?). But people of Kuningan have still a strong belief that his graveyard is still be found somewhere in Kuningan small town. To this graveyard now, people, especially peasants happened to come regularly for blessings on a properous harvest or other kjnds of private questions. S,

VERSION IF.

One way of thinkings is prohibiting us in associating Bokor Kuningan (brass bowl) with the name Kuningan. This version is telling us that be fore Pangeran Aria Kamuning had come to the area, another settlement appeared to be existing namely the Hinduis : Kadipaten (regency) Kajene. And Kuningan is origined from a ceremonial ritual cq. upa-tjara Kuningan. In this ver- :i sion is said that Pangeran 'I Aria Kamuning was received ^ by his foster-father Adipati J Kwangga in Luragung and | was raised up in Kajene. I

Kadipaten Kuningan was 1 founded after Aria Kamuning j had returned from Garage (Nagari Cede — Tjaruban — Tjirebon) where he had finish ed learning of Islamic religion. '

Or so to say, Pangeran Aria Kamuning was the one who ' had turned the people of Kaje ne over to Islam.

This version is telling us that his graveyard is at of about Astana Cede in Kuning •, an small-town now, which is regularly being visited by pea sants and people of Kuningan, coming for blessings o'f the