Terjadinya Gunung Batok
by Balai Bahasa Surabaya

Rara Anteng and the Pirate
Once upon a time, near a big mountain lived a boy. His name was Joko. A girl named Rara lived there too.
There was a time of trouble. Many people moved to a safe place. They lived near a big mountain. A man and his wife lived there too.
One day, the wife had a baby boy. He was very strong. He could kick hard. They named him Joko.
A baby girl was born. She was very beautiful. She was very calm. They named her Rara.
Joko and Rara grew up. They cared for each other. They were very happy together.
One day, a mean pirate came. He was strong. He wanted to marry Rara. Rara was scared.
Rara went to Joko. "I am scared," she said. "I do not want to marry him."
Joko had an idea. "Give him a hard task," he said. "A task he cannot do."
Rara went to the pirate. "I will marry you," she said. "But first, you must do one thing."
"What is it?" asked the pirate.
"Dig a sea of sand from the mountain," said Rara. "You must finish before the rooster crows."
"I will do it!" said the pirate. He started to dig. He used a big coconut shell. He dug very fast.
Rara saw him dig. She became worried. He was almost done. She needed a new plan.
Rara and her friends made a plan. In the night, they pounded rice. They made a loud noise.
The noise woke the roosters. The roosters began to crow. It was not morning yet.
The pirate heard the roosters. "It is morning!" he said. "I have failed!" He was very angry.
He threw his coconut shell. It fell on the ground. It turned into a mountain. The mountain looked like a coconut shell.
Rara was happy. The pirate went away. Rara and Joko could be together.
They got married. They started a new village. They named it Tengger. They lived happily.
Being clever and loving helped Rara and Joko. They lived happily.
Original Story
Terjadinya Gunung Batok pimpinan Prabu Girindrawardhana, banyak penduduk bingung mencari tempat pengungsian: demikian pula para bangsawan kerajaan. Pada saat itulah, penduduk mulai pergi menuju suatu tempat di pegunungan, tepatnya di sekitar Gunung Bromo. Mereka menetap di lereng Gunung Penanjakan. Di tempat itulah dapat terlihat matahari terbit dari timur dan terbenam di sebelah barat. Di antara bangsawan Majapahit yang menetap di lereng Gunung Penanjakan itu, ada seorang pertapa dan istrinya. Setiap hari, ia memuja dan mengheningkan cipta. Suatu hari istri pertapa itu melahirkan seorang anak laki-laki. Wajahnya tampan, cahayanya terang laksana anak titisan jiwa yang suci. Sejak dilahirkan, anak kecil itu menunjukkan kekuatan dan kesaktian yang luar biasa. Saat lahir, anak pertapa itu sudah dapat berteriak. Genggaman tangannya sangat erat, tendangan kakinya pun sangat kuat. Tidak seperti anak-anak lain. Oleh karena itu, sang pertapa menamainya Joko Seger. Di tempat sekitar Gunung Pananjakan, pada waktu itu juga ada seo: anak perempuan yang lahir dari titisan dewa. Wajahnya cantik dan elok. Dia anak yang paling cantik di tempat itu, Waktu dilahirkan, anak itu juga membawa tanda-tanda yang membedakannya dengan bayi pada umumnya. Bayi itu sangat tenang, lahir dari rahim ibunya tanpa menangis. Oleh karena itu, orang tuanya memberi nama Rara Anteng. : Julukan Rara Anteng dipakainya sampai dewasa. Ketika beranjak remaja, garis-garis kecantikannya semakin terlihat jelas pada wajahnya. Kecantikannya termasyhur ke berbagai penjuru. Banyak putra raja datang mengajukan lamaran. Namun, pinangannya itu selalu ditolak karena Rara Anteng sudah terpikat hatinya kepada Joko Seger. Suatu hari, datanglah seorang bajak laut yang terkenal sakti, kuat, dan jahat ingin menyunting Rara Anteng. Rara Anteng yang halus perasaannya tidak berani menolak lamaran bajak laut itu secara langsung karena khawatir akan membuatnya murka. Akan tetapi, ia juga tidak mungkin memberi harapan atau menerimanya karena ia sudah berjanji akan sehidup semati dengan Joko Seger. “Kakanda Joko Seger, apa yang harus kulakukan?” kata Rara Anteng bingung, “Tenang Adinda, kita pikirkan bersama jalan keluarnya,” jawab Joko Seger. “Tapi aku tidak mau menikah dengan bajak laut itu. Aku hanya ingin bersama Kakang,” kata Rara Anteng sedih. “Tidak ada yang menyuruhmu untuk menerima lamarannya. Sabarlah, pasti ada jalan ke luarnya,” kata Joko Seger menghibur meskipun hatinya sendiri sedih dan tidak yakin dapat mengalahkan bajak laut itu jika harus perang tanding untuk mempertahankan kekasihnya. “Tapi dia sangat sakti. Kalau kutolak begitu saja, tentu dia akan tersinggung dan marah. Bisa-bisa kita semua dibunuhnya. Aku harus memberi jawabannya sekarang. Lihatlah, dia sudah gelisah menunggu. Bagaimana, Kakang. Apa Kakang sudah menemukan jalan keluarnya?” kata Rara Anteng sambil melihat keluar dari balik biliknya. K etika kerajaan Majapahit mengalami serangan besar-besaran dari Kediri di bawah . 47 “Belum, Dinda. Tapi... mungkin Dinda dapat berikan syarat.” “Syarat bagaimana, Kakang?” “Ya...syarat untuk melamar. Coba Dinda ajukan persyaratan yang sulit. Persyaratan yang sekiranya dia tidak akan mampu memenuhinya. Dinda coba buat perjanjian.” “Tapi...bagaimana kalau dia bisa memenuhinya. Berarti aku harus menikah dengannya. Tidak, Kakang. Aku tidak mau.” “Coba pikirkan dulu, Dinda. Mungkin ini cara halus untuk menolak. Tinggal kita pikirkan syarat yang sulit saja.” Rara Anteng berjalan mondar mandir dengan gelisah di dalam rumahnya. Sebentar- sebentar matanya melihat ke luar rumah tempat bajak laut itu menunggu dengan gelisah dan sebentar kemudian melihat ke arah Joko Seger. Sejenak ia terdiam saat matanya melihat pemandangan Gunung Bromo dari jendela rumahnya. Sepertinya, ia mendapat ide. Kata aan Aku tahu syaratnya. Terima kasih, Kakang,” kata Rara Anicng “Apa itu, Dinda?” “Nanti Kakang akan tahu. Sekarang aku mau keluar. Aku akan menemui bajak laut itu. Kakang tunggu di sini saja. Jangan sampai ia tahu kalau aku sudah punya kekasih. Nanti ia curiga kalau syaratku hanya akal-akalan saja.” “Baiklah Dinda. Hati-hatilah. Aku akan berjaga dan mengawasi dari sini.” Rara Anteng keluar rumah dengan wajah tenang. Ia melihat bajak laut itu sedang berjalan mondar-mandir dengan gelisah. Wajahnya tegang hingga tampak semakin sangar. Demi melihat Rara Anteng keluar, senyum bajak laut pun mengembang. “Bagaimana? Apakah kau menerima Jamaranku?” tanya bajak laut itu dengan gembira karena melihat wajah Rara Anteng yang tenang mengira lamarannya diterima. “Baiklah, Kakang, Saya bersedia menjadi istrimu dengan satu syarat,” kata Rara Anteng sambil memperhatikan wajah pelamarnya. “Katakan saja. Demi Adinda, saya akan mencoba memenuhinya?” “Tapi, jika tidak berhasil memenuhi syarat yang saya ajukan, Kakang harus meninggalkan Pegunungan Tengger ini secepatnya.” “Saya berjanji. Cepat katakan, syarat apakah yang Dinda minta. Saya tidak ingin menunggu lebih lama lagi.” “Baiklah. Apakah Kakang melihat Gunung Bromo di sebelah sana?” kata Rara Anteng sambil menunjuk ke arah Gunung Bromo diikuti mata bajak laut. “Tentu saja aku melihatnya. Apa hubungannya dengan syaratmu? Katakan saja, cepat!” kata bajak laut hampir kehilangan kesabarannya. “Saya minta Kakang membuatkan lautan pasir dengan cara mengeruk Gunung Bromo itu." “Hanya lautan pasir? Saya akan segera membuatnya.” “Tunggu, Kakang. Ada syarat lainnya.” “Cepat, katakan.” “Kakang harus dapat membuat lautan pasir itu hanya dalam waktu satu malam. Sebelum ayam jantan berkokok, Kakang sudah harus menyelesaikan pekerjaan itu. Jika tidak, Kakang harus segera meninggalkan tempat ini.” “Baik. Baik. Saya akan segera memulainya.” 48 Disanggupinya permintaan Rara Anteng tersebut. Pelamar sakti tadi mulai membuat lautan pasir dengan alat sebuah tempurung (batok) kelapa. Gerakan mengeruknya sangat cepat hingga pasir-pasir pun berhamburan keluar memenuhi hamparan dataran tempat itu, Pekerjaan itu hampir selesai. Melihat kenyataan demikian itu, hati Rara Anteng mulai gelisah. Bagaimana cara menggagalkan pembuatan lautan pasir oleh bajak laut itu? Rara Anteng merenungi nasibnya. la tidak bisa hidup bersuamikan orang yang tidak dicintainya. Kemudian, ia berusaha menenangkan dirinya. Timbul niat untuk menggagalkan pengerjaan lautan pasir oleh bajak pelamar. Bersama perempuan sedesanya, Rara Anteng mulai menumbuk padi di tengah malam. Pelan-pelan suara tumbukan dan gesekan alu membangunkan ayam-ayam yang sedang tidur. Kokok ayam mulai bersahutan. Seolah-olah fajar telah tiba, tetapi penduduk belum mulai dengan kegiatan pagi. Hal tersebut dirasakannya oleh bajak pelamar. Bajak pelamar mendengar ayam-ayam berkokok, tetapi benang putih di sebelah timur belum juga tampak. Berarti fajar datang sebelum waktunya. “Kakang, dengarlah! Ayam sudah berkokok, sedangkan Kakang belum menyelesaikan pekerjaan yang kusyaratkan. Kakang sudah gagal.” Sesudah itu dia merenungi nasib sialnya. Tempurung yang dipakai sebagai alat mengeruk pasir itu dilemparkannya hingga jatuh tertelungkup di samping sisa Gunung Bromo yang belum selesai digali. Tempurung itu kemudian berubah menjadi gunung yang menyerupai batok klapa kemurep (tempurung kelapa tertelungkup) sehingga gunung itu disebut Gunung Batok. Dengan kegagalan bajak laut membuat lautan pasir, suka citalah hati Rara Anteng. Rara Anteng pun melanjutkan hubungan kasihnya dengan Joko Seger. Rara Anteng dan Joko Seger kemudian hidup sebagai pasangan suami istri yang berbahagia karena keduanya saling mengasihi. Rara Anteng dan Joko Seger mendirikan sebuah desa. Desa itu kemudian diberi nama Tengger yang merupakan perpaduan nama Anteng dan Seger. 49 50
Moral of the Story
True love and cleverness can overcome even the most formidable obstacles.
Characters
Joko Seger ★ protagonist
A young man of average height and athletic build, possessing an inherent strength and vitality that sets him apart. His movements are swift and powerful, indicative of his extraordinary abilities from birth. He has a healthy, sun-kissed complexion typical of someone living in the mountains.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing made of natural fibers like cotton or linen, suitable for the climate and his status as a pertapa's son. Perhaps a dark sarong wrapped around his waist and a simple, loose-fitting top (baju) in earthy tones, allowing for ease of movement.
Wants: To protect Rara Anteng and ensure their future together, living a peaceful life in the mountains.
Flaw: His initial hesitation and sadness at the thought of not being able to physically defeat the pirate, showing a moment of self-doubt.
He grows from a young man who feels helpless against a powerful foe to a confident leader who uses his intellect to overcome adversity, ultimately founding a village with his beloved.
Calm, thoughtful, protective, resourceful, and deeply loving. He is initially saddened by his inability to directly confront the pirate but quickly devises a clever strategy.
Rara Anteng ★ protagonist
A young Javanese woman of graceful build and moderate height, known for her exceptional beauty. Her movements are calm and composed, even when distressed, reflecting her serene nature.
Attire: Elegant yet practical Javanese attire, such as a beautifully patterned batik sarong in rich earthy tones (browns, indigos) and a fitted, long-sleeved kebaya top made of fine cotton or silk in a soft color like cream or light green. She might wear minimal, delicate gold jewelry.
Wants: To marry Joko Seger and live a peaceful life with him, avoiding an unwanted marriage to the pirate.
Flaw: Her initial fear and reluctance to directly refuse the powerful pirate, leading her to seek a clever workaround.
She transforms from a distressed young woman seeking help to a clever and decisive individual who actively engineers her own salvation and future, ultimately becoming a co-founder of a new village.
Beautiful, calm, intelligent, resourceful, deeply loving, and initially hesitant to confront. She is quick-witted and determined when faced with a challenge.
Bajak Laut (The Pirate) ⚔ antagonist
A powerfully built, imposing man, likely tall and muscular from a life at sea and combat. His presence is intimidating, and his movements are restless and aggressive when agitated.
Attire: Practical but formidable attire suitable for a powerful pirate in the Indonesian archipelago. Perhaps a dark, loose-fitting shirt made of coarse fabric, sturdy trousers, and a wide sash around his waist. He might wear heavy leather boots or go barefoot, and possibly a headscarf or bandana.
Wants: To marry Rara Anteng, driven by her beauty and his desire to possess what he wants.
Flaw: His arrogance, impatience, and overconfidence in his own power, which blinds him to Rara Anteng's clever deception.
He remains static in his personality, failing to learn from his defeat. His arrogance leads to his downfall and transformation into a geological feature.
Powerful, arrogant, impatient, easily angered, determined, and somewhat gullible. He is accustomed to getting his way through force.
Locations

Lereng Gunung Penanjakan
A mountainous slope near Gunung Bromo, offering panoramic views of the sunrise from the east and sunset from the west. It is a place of refuge for Majapahit nobles and commoners.
Mood: Serene, spiritual, a place of refuge and new beginnings.
Where Joko Seger and Rara Anteng are born and grow up, and where their families settle after fleeing Majapahit.

Rara Anteng's House
A traditional Javanese house, likely a 'rumah panggung' (stilt house) with 'bilik' (woven bamboo walls), where Rara Anteng and Joko Seger discuss the pirate's proposal. It has a window offering a view of Gunung Bromo.
Mood: Anxious, contemplative, a place of difficult decisions.
Rara Anteng and Joko Seger devise the impossible task for the pirate. Rara Anteng gets the idea for the sand sea from looking out the window.

Area around Gunung Bromo
The vast, sandy plains surrounding Gunung Bromo, which the pirate attempts to transform into a 'sea of sand' using a coconut shell. The landscape is barren and volcanic.
Mood: Tense, desperate, magical, desolate.
The pirate attempts to create a sea of sand. Rara Anteng and the village women trick him into thinking dawn has arrived. The coconut shell transforms into Gunung Batok.
Story DNA
Moral
True love and cleverness can overcome even the most formidable obstacles.
Plot Summary
During a time of conflict, a powerful boy named Joko Seger and a beautiful girl named Rara Anteng grow up near Mount Bromo and fall in love. A formidable pirate captain demands Rara Anteng's hand in marriage, but she, with Joko Seger's advice, sets an impossible condition: he must create a sea of sand by digging out Mount Bromo in one night. As the pirate nearly succeeds, Rara Anteng cleverly tricks the roosters into crowing prematurely, causing him to fail. In his rage, the pirate throws his coconut shell, which becomes Gunung Batok, and Rara Anteng and Joko Seger marry, founding the Tengger village.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anxiety to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story provides an etiological explanation for the formation of Gunung Batok, a cone within the caldera of Mount Bromo, and the origin of the Tenggerese people and their name. It connects to the historical Majapahit Kingdom, suggesting a time of upheaval.
Plot Beats (14)
- During the Majapahit war, people including nobles, a hermit, and his wife, settle near Mount Bromo.
- The hermit's wife gives birth to Joko Seger, a boy with extraordinary strength and power.
- A beautiful girl named Rara Anteng, born from divine lineage, also grows up in the same area.
- Joko Seger and Rara Anteng fall in love as they grow older.
- A powerful and evil pirate captain arrives and demands to marry Rara Anteng.
- Rara Anteng, fearing the pirate's wrath but unwilling to marry him, consults Joko Seger.
- Joko Seger advises Rara Anteng to propose an impossible condition to the pirate.
- Rara Anteng challenges the pirate to create a sea of sand by digging out Mount Bromo in a single night, before the rooster crows.
- The pirate accepts the challenge and begins digging furiously with a coconut shell, nearly completing the task.
- Rara Anteng, seeing his progress, becomes anxious and devises a plan to make the roosters crow early.
- Rara Anteng and other women start pounding rice in the middle of the night, waking the roosters.
- The roosters crow, signaling false dawn, and the pirate, believing he has failed, stops his work.
- The pirate, in a fit of rage, throws his coconut shell, which lands upside down and transforms into Gunung Batok.
- Rara Anteng and Joko Seger are free to marry and establish the village of Tengger, named after them.





