Ronggolawe
by Balai Bahasa Surabaya · from Cerita Rakyat Jawa Timur
Original Story
Ronggolawe
Ikisah, pada awal-awal kerajaan Majapahit, orang-orang yang telah berjasa ikut
mendirikan kerajaan tersebut diangkat menjadi pejabat. Sewaktu membuka hutan
Tarik untuk permukiman, Raden Wijaya dibantu oleh Raja Sumenep yang bemama
Arya Wiraraja. Ia tidak hanya mengerahkan para prajuritnya, tetapi juga putra-putranya untuk
ikut membantu Raden Wijaya. Salah satunya bernama Aryo Ronggolawe. Sejak pertama
membuka Hutan Tarik, Ronggolawe sudah bekerja keras membantu. Pada saat Raden Wijaya
berperang melawan Jayakatwang dan mengusir tentara Tar Tar dari negeri Cina setelah
berhasil menghancurkan kerajaan Kediri, Ronggolawe juga tampil berperang dengan gagah
berani. Kehancuran Kediri dan kembalinya tentara Tar Tar ke negeri Cina membuka peluang
untuk tumbuhnya kerajaan Majapahit. Akan tetapi, saat pembagian kekuasaan di negeri yang
baru berdiri itu, Aryo Ronggolawe merasa ada ketidakadilan. Aryo Ronggolawe sangat
kecewa kepada Raden Wijaya yang memberikan jabatan mahapatih kepada Nambi. Nambi
dinilai tidak banyak membantu karena tidak membantu sejak awal. Di samping itu, tabiatnya
dinilai kurang baik.
“Hamba tidak mengerti mengapa Nambi yang diangkat sebagai mahapatih oleh Raden
Wijaya,” kata seorang pembantu setia Ronggolawe pada suatu hari. “Menurut hamba,
Kanjeng Raden lebih pantas menduduki jabatan itu,” lanjutnya.
“Aku juga tidak mengerti alasannya, Paman,” jawab Ronggolawe datar. Terlihat raut
kecewa di wajahnya.
“Sebaiknya Kanjeng Raden menghadap Paduka Raden Wijaya untuk menanyakannya
secara langsung. Barangkali ada kekeliruan,” katanya menyarankan.
“Tidak, Paman. Perintahnya sudah jelas. Aku menjadi Adipati Tuban. Raden Wijaya
memang sengaja,” kata Ronggolawe dengan suara tetap datar.
“Kalau begitu, apakah Raden akan menerima begitu saja? Menurut hamba, ini
“Aku masih memikirkannya. Aku memang akan membuat perhitungan dengan Raden
Wijaya."
“Benar, Raden jangan mau dipermainkan seperti ini.”
“Paman, tolong siapkan kudaku,” kata Ronggolawe menutup perbincangannya.
Ronggolawe mempunyai seekor kuda sakti, namanya Nilam Umbara. Nilam Umbara
bukan hanya seekor binatang dalam wujud kuda, tetapi kuda yang sudah “kemanungsan”.
Nilam Umbara dapat mengerti bahasa manusia dan memiliki sifat-sifat layaknya manusia.
Bahkan, kuda ini memiliki indera keenam yang sangat tangguh. Dengan inderanya itu, Nilam
Umbara seringkali menuntun Aryo Ronggolawe dalam peperangan sehingga
mengantarkannya pada kemenangan perang. Nilam Umbara dapat mencium bahaya yang
bakal menghadang.
Nilam Umbara sangat berjasa membantu dan mengarahkan Ronggolawe saat berperang
membantu Raden Wijaya melawan Prabu Jayakatwang dari kerajaan Kediri dan memukul
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mundul tentara Tar Tar. Kuda itu bisa menjaga tuannya dengan baik, menghindar dari sabetan
pedang musuh dan berkelit dari lesatan tombak. Bahkan, ia dapat mengenal jalan pulang
hingga sewaktu-waktu tuannya pingsan, ia tetap dapat membawanya pulang ke rumah. Jika
mencium bahaya, ia akan memberikan tanda kepada Ronggolawe. Oleh karena itu,
Ronggolawe sangat menyayangi Nilam Umbara.
Dengan berbekal kuda saktinya itu, Ronggolawe menyusun rencana untuk melakukan
perhitungan dengan kerajaan Majapahit yang dianggap telah menghinanya dan tidak
menghargai jerih payahnya. Pada suatu hari, dengan menunggang Nilam Umbara,
Ronggolawe pergi ke kota raja Majapahit untuk menghadap Raden Wijaya dan menanyakan
secara langsung mengenai keputusannya mengangkat Nambi sebagai mahapatih kerajaan
Majapahit. Ia ingin mendengar penjelasan secara langsung agar tidak simpang siur. Jikalau
alasan Raden Wijaya masuk akal, ia akan menerimanya secara ksatria karena perjuangannya
membantu Raden Wijaya sesungguhnya dilandasi oleh rasa setia dan tanggung jawab bukan
karena menginginkan jabatan dan kekuasaan. Akan tetapi, jika penjelasannya tidak masuk
akal, Ronggolawe bersiap mengadakan perhitungan untuk membela harga diri dan
martabatnya. R
Perjalanannya untuk menghadap Raden Wijaya ternyata sudah didengar oleh para
pembesar Majapahit yang memihak kepada Nambi. Beberapa senopati telah menghadangnya
di pintu gerbang masuk kotaraja. Mereka tidak mengizinkan Ronggolawe menghadap Raden
Wijaya, sedangkan Ronggolawe tidak mau kembali ke Tuban sebelum bertemu langsung
dengan Raden Wijaya. Karena sama-sama tidak ada yang mau mengalah, pertempuran hebat
tidak dapat dihindari. Nilam Umbara dengan gesit membawa Ronggolawe menghindar dari
keroyokan para Senopati Majapahit. Berkali-kali sabetan pedang dan tusukan keris berhasil
dihindari. Sambil berkelit, tidak jarang kaki Nilam Umbara ikut bergerak menyepak ke kanan
ke kiri hingga membuat Senopati Majapahit kesulitan mencapai Ronggolawe. Pertempuran
itu dengan mudah dimenangkan oleh Ronggolawe. Para Senopati Majapahit malu luar biasa
karena jumlah mereka lebih banyak, tetapi tidak mampu mengimbangi apalagi mengalahkan
Ronggolawe yang hanya dibantu oleh kuda Nilam Umbara.
Para senopati itu segera menghadap panglima kerajaan, yaitu Kebo Anabrang. Kebo
Anabrang sangat marah mendapat laporan anak buahnya. Ia bertekad akan menghadapi
Ronggolawe secara langsung dalam perang tanding satu lawan satu. Pada suatu ketika
Panglima Majapahit Kebo Anabrang yang tak lain adalah sahabat Ranggalawe mengundang
Ranggalawe untuk bertarung di Sungai Tambakberas.
Seperti biasa, Ronggolawe menyiapkan kuda Nilam Umbara. Setiap kali hendak
dibersihkan, Nilam Umbara mengibas-ibaskan badannya sebagai tanda penolakan. Sebagai
kuda sakti, Nilam Umbara sudah mencium aroma darah, mencium firasat yang tidak baik
yang akan menimpa tuannya. Akan tetapi, Ronggolawe merasa pantang menolak tantangan
lawan. Apalagi yang menantang perang adalah Panglima kerajaan Majapahit. Jika bisa
mengalahkan Kebo Anabrang, ia akan dapat bertemu langsung dengan Raden Wijaya.
Ronggolawe pun memaksa Nilam Umbara agar mau pergi bersamanya. Dengan berat
hati, Nilam Umbara pun mengantarkan dan menemani tuannya menghadapi tantangan Kebo
Anabrang di Sungai Tambakberas.
“Aku dengar kau tidak terima dengan pengangkatan Mahapatih Nambi," kata Kebo
Anabrang setelah saling berhadapan dengan Ronggolawe.
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“Aku bukan tidak menerima, tetapi ingin tahu alasannya,” jawab Ronggolawe datar. Ia
tahu, sahabatnya itu sudah berada di pihak Nambi.
“Kau tidak perlu bertemu dengan Paduka Raden Wijaya untuk mengetahui alasannya.
Aku bisa memberitahumu," kata Kebo Anabrang.
“Aku hanya ingin penjelasan langsung dari Paduka. Aku tidak butuh penjelasan darimu.
Aku tidak percaya pada siapa pun lagi,” kata Ronggolawe.
“Kau...! Ingat! Meskipun kita bersahabat, sekarang aku adalah Panglima Perang kerajaan
Majapahit. Kedudukanku jauh lebih tinggi darimu," jawab Kebo Anabrang dengan nada
tinggi.
“Aku tidak peduli seberapa tinggi pangkat dan kedudukanmu. Bagiku, kau sama saja
seperti Kebo Anabrang yang kukenal dulu,” kata Ronggolawe tetap tenang.
“Kurang ajar. Jadi, kau tidak mengakuiku sebagai Panglima Perang kerajaan Majapahit.
Kau benar-benar mencari mati rupanya,” jawab Kebo Anabrang sambil mencabut kerisnya.
Akhirnya terjadilah pertempuran di sungai. Karena pertempuran terjadi di dalam sungai,
Ronggolawe pun terpaksa turun dari kudanya. Ia masuk ke dalam sungai terpancing oleh
siasat Kebo Anabrang yang sudah tahu kehebatan dan kesaktian Nilam Umbara sehingga
berusaha menjauhkan Ronggolawe dari kudanya itu. Setelah lepas dari Nilam Umbara, Kebo
Anabrang segera menusukan kerisnya ke arah Ronggolawe. Ronggolawe pun terhuyung-
huyung dan terjatuh bersimbah darah.
Mengetahui tuannya meninggal, Nilam Umbara meloncat ke dalam sungai dan
menghadang tubuh Ronggolawe dengan punggungnya hingga tubuh Ronggolawe
tertelungkup di atas punggung Nilam Umbara. Secepat kilat, Nilam Umbara meloncat dari
dalam sungai dan membawa jasad Ronggolawe kembali ke kembali ke Tuban. Setelah
berhasil membawa Ronggolawe pulang, Nilam Umbara mati mengikuti tuannya.
Kematian Ronggolawe membuat Raden Wijaya marah karena sesungguhnya Raden
Wijaya sangat berhutang budi padanya. Ronggolawe juga dianggap sebagai pahlawan karena
sudah banyak berjasa pada awal berdirinya kerajaan Majapahit. Kebo Anabrang pun
mendapat hukuman mati.
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Story DNA
Moral
Unchecked ambition and a sense of injustice can lead to tragic ends, even for the most loyal and honorable.
Plot Summary
Ronggolawe, a valiant warrior instrumental in founding the Majapahit kingdom, feels betrayed when Raden Wijaya appoints Nambi as Mahapatih instead of him. Driven by a sense of injustice, Ronggolawe, accompanied by his magical horse Nilam Umbara, travels to confront Raden Wijaya. After easily defeating Nambi's loyalists, Ronggolawe accepts a duel challenge from his former friend, Kebo Anabrang. Despite Nilam Umbara's premonitions, Ronggolawe fights, is tricked into separating from his horse in a river, and is fatally wounded. Nilam Umbara carries his master's body home and dies, while Raden Wijaya, realizing Ronggolawe's true loyalty, punishes Kebo Anabrang.
Themes
Emotional Arc
loyalty to resentment to tragic loss
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is set during the early period of the Majapahit kingdom, a powerful thalassocratic empire in Southeast Asia, founded by Raden Wijaya. Figures like Ronggolawe and Nambi are historical, though the specific narrative details are legendary.
Plot Beats (14)
- Ronggolawe, a key figure, helps Raden Wijaya establish the Majapahit kingdom through hard work and bravery.
- Raden Wijaya appoints Nambi as Mahapatih, overlooking Ronggolawe's greater contributions and Nambi's perceived flaws.
- Ronggolawe feels betrayed and unjustly treated, discussing his disappointment with his aide.
- Ronggolawe decides to confront Raden Wijaya directly to understand the decision.
- Ronggolawe, accompanied by his magical, sentient horse Nilam Umbara, travels to the capital.
- Nambi's loyalists ambush Ronggolawe at the city gates, but Ronggolawe and Nilam Umbara easily defeat them.
- Kebo Anabrang, the Majapahit commander and Ronggolawe's former friend, challenges Ronggolawe to a duel at Tambakberas River.
- Nilam Umbara senses impending doom and resists going, but Ronggolawe, bound by honor, forces the horse to accompany him.
- Ronggolawe and Kebo Anabrang confront each other, with Ronggolawe seeking direct answers from Raden Wijaya, which Kebo Anabrang refuses.
- Kebo Anabrang provokes Ronggolawe, leading to a duel in the river.
- Kebo Anabrang, knowing Nilam Umbara's power, lures Ronggolawe into the water, separating him from his horse.
- Kebo Anabrang fatally stabs the disoriented Ronggolawe.
- Nilam Umbara retrieves Ronggolawe's body, carries it back to Tuban, and then dies, heartbroken.
- Raden Wijaya, upon learning the truth and Ronggolawe's loyalty, orders Kebo Anabrang's execution.
Characters
Aryo Ronggolawe
A strong, well-built Javanese man, likely of medium height with a sturdy frame, reflecting his warrior status and hard work in clearing the Tarik forest. His movements are agile and brave in battle.
Attire: As an Adipati (Duke) of Tuban and a warrior, he would wear practical yet dignified Majapahit-era attire. This would include a dark, possibly indigo or brown, kain (long cloth) wrapped around his lower body, a simple but sturdy vest or jacket of woven cotton or silk, and perhaps a headcloth (iket) or a simple crown indicating his rank. He would carry a keris at his waist.
Wants: To serve his kingdom justly and be recognized for his contributions. He seeks fairness and respect for his honor and dignity.
Flaw: His pride and stubbornness, which prevent him from backing down from a challenge, even when his loyal companion senses danger. His unwavering demand for direct explanation also leads him into a fatal confrontation.
Starts as a loyal and dedicated warrior, becomes disillusioned by perceived injustice, and ultimately dies defending his honor and seeking an explanation, becoming a martyr for his principles.
Brave, loyal, hardworking, principled, easily disappointed, stubborn, proud.
Nilam Umbara
A powerful, majestic horse, larger and more robust than typical horses, with a sleek, dark coat that might appear almost black or deep brown. Its musculature is well-defined, indicating strength and speed. Its eyes are intelligent and expressive, capable of conveying emotion and foresight.
Attire: No clothing, but perhaps a simple, sturdy saddle and bridle made of dark leather, unadorned to emphasize its natural power.
Wants: To protect and serve its master, Ronggolawe, using its unique abilities.
Flaw: Its unwavering loyalty to Ronggolawe, which leads it to follow him even when it senses impending doom.
Remains consistently loyal and protective, ultimately sacrificing itself to carry its master's body home after his death.
Loyal, intelligent, protective, intuitive, wise, reluctant when sensing danger.
Raden Wijaya
A regal and authoritative Javanese man, likely of noble stature and bearing, reflecting his position as the founder and ruler of Majapahit. He would possess a commanding presence.
Attire: As the founder of Majapahit, he would wear rich, elaborate court attire. This would include a finely woven songket or batik kain, a silk long-sleeved jacket (baju) in deep royal colors like red or gold, and a jeweled crown or elaborate headpiece. A keris would be prominently displayed.
Wants: To establish and secure the Majapahit kingdom, maintain stability, and reward those he deems fit for leadership.
Flaw: His political decisions, which can be perceived as unfair by loyal subjects, and a potential disconnect from the personal feelings of his warriors.
Starts as a leader building his kingdom, makes a controversial decision regarding Nambi's appointment, and ultimately expresses regret and punishes Kebo Anabrang for Ronggolawe's death, acknowledging Ronggolawe's heroism.
Strategic, decisive, initially grateful, but later perhaps politically pragmatic and capable of harsh judgment.
Nambi
A Javanese man, likely of average build, perhaps appearing less physically imposing than a warrior like Ronggolawe, as his role is administrative. His appearance might suggest a more cunning or less straightforward nature, as perceived by Ronggolawe.
Attire: As Mahapatih (Prime Minister), he would wear fine Majapahit court attire, possibly less warrior-like than Ronggolawe's, but still indicative of high status. This would include a patterned batik kain, a silk baju, and possibly a headcloth or simple cap.
Wants: To hold power and influence within the newly formed Majapahit kingdom.
Flaw: His perceived lack of significant contribution to the kingdom's founding and his 'less good' character make him a target of resentment.
His appointment is the catalyst for the main conflict, but he does not undergo a personal arc within this story segment.
Perceived as less helpful and having a 'less good' character by Ronggolawe's faction. Likely politically astute to gain the Mahapatih position.
Kebo Anabrang
A strong, imposing Javanese warrior, likely with a powerful build befitting a Panglima (Commander). He would appear formidable in battle.
Attire: As Panglima of Majapahit, he would wear warrior's attire: a dark, sturdy kain, a protective vest or jacket, and possibly arm guards. He would carry a prominent keris.
Wants: To uphold the authority of the Majapahit kingdom and its appointed officials, and to defend his honor as Panglima.
Flaw: His pride and hot-headedness lead him to challenge Ronggolawe to a duel, and his cunning in battle ultimately results in his own downfall when Raden Wijaya punishes him.
Starts as a loyal commander, becomes an antagonist to Ronggolawe, defeats him through cunning, and is ultimately executed for his actions, highlighting the tragic consequences of political conflict.
Loyal to the kingdom's current leadership (Raden Wijaya/Nambi), proud, hot-headed, strategic in combat, willing to use cunning.
Ronggolawe's Loyal Assistant
A Javanese man, likely older than Ronggolawe, with a more humble appearance befitting a loyal servant. He might have a slightly hunched posture from years of service.
Attire: Simple, practical Javanese peasant or servant attire, such as a plain cotton kain and a simple, loose-fitting shirt (baju) in muted colors like brown or cream.
Wants: To support and advise his master, Ronggolawe, and ensure his well-being and rightful recognition.
Flaw: Unable to sway Ronggolawe from his path once his master's mind is set.
Remains a consistent figure of support and concern for Ronggolawe.
Loyal, concerned, supportive, observant, respectful.
Locations
Majapahit Royal City Gate
The grand entrance to the Majapahit royal city, likely constructed from red brick and carved stone, reflecting the typical architecture of the Majapahit era. It would feature large wooden gates, possibly with intricate carvings, and be flanked by guard posts.
Mood: Tense, confrontational, a place of challenge
Ronggolawe is confronted and blocked by Majapahit senopati (generals) when trying to enter the city to meet Raden Wijaya.
Tambakberas River
A wide, flowing river, likely with muddy banks and possibly surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The water would be deep enough for a fight, and the current could be a factor. The name 'Tambakberas' suggests it might have been near rice paddies or fish ponds.
Mood: Somber, fateful, a place of ultimate confrontation
The final, fatal duel between Ronggolawe and Kebo Anabrang takes place here, leading to Ronggolawe's death.