Asal Usul Kota Banyuwangi

Asal Usul Kota Banyuwangi

Pada zaman dahulu di kawasan ujung timur Propinsi Jawa Timur terdapat sebuah kerajaan besar yang diperintah oleh seorang Raja yang adil dan bijaksana. Raja tersebut mempunyai seorang putra yang gagah bernama Raden Banterang. Kegemaran Raden Banterang adalah berburu. “Pagi hari ini aku akan berburu ke hutan. Siapkan alat berburu,” kata Raden Banterang kepada para abdinya. Setelah peralatan berburu siap, Raden Banterang disertai beberapa pengiringnya berangkat ke hutan. Ketika Raden Banterang berjalan sendirian, ia melihat seekor kijang melintas di depannya. Ia segera mengejar kijang itu hingga masuk jauh ke hutan. Ia terpisah dengan para pengiringnya.

“Kemana seekor kijang tadi?”, kata Raden Banterang, ketika kehilangan jejak buruannya. “Akan ku cari terus sampai dapat,” tekadnya. Raden Banterang menerobos semak belukar dan pepohonan hutan. Namun, binatang buruan itu tidak ditemukan. Ia tiba di sebuah sungai yang sangat bening airnya. “Hem, segar nian air sungai ini,” Raden Banterang minum air sungai itu, sampai merasa hilang dahaganya. Setelah itu, ia meninggalkan sungai. Namun baru beberapa langkah berjalan, tiba-tiba dikejutkan kedatangan seorang gadis cantik jelita.

“Ha? Seorang gadis cantik jelita? Benarkah ia seorang manusia? Jangan-jangan setan penunggu hutan,” gumam Raden Banterang bertanya-tanya. Raden Banterang memberanikan diri mendekati gadis cantik itu. “Kau manusia atau penunggu hutan?” sapa Raden Banterang. “Saya manusia,” jawab gadis itu sambil tersenyum. Raden Banterang pun memperkenalkan dirinya. Gadis cantik itu menyambutnya. “Nama saya Surati berasal dari kerajaan Klungkung”. “Saya berada di tempat ini karena menyelamatkan diri dari serangan musuh. Ayah saya telah gugur dalam mempertahankan mahkota kerajaan,” Jelasnya. Mendengar ucapan gadis itu, Raden Banterang terkejut bukan kepalang. Melihat penderitaan puteri Raja Klungkung itu, Raden Banterang segera menolong dan mengajaknya pulang ke istana. Tak lama kemudian mereka menikah membangun keluarga bahagia.

Pada suatu hari, puteri Raja Klungkung berjalan-jalan sendirian ke luar istana. “Surati! Surati!”, panggil seorang laki-laki yang berpakaian compang-camping. Setelah mengamati wajah lelaki itu, ia baru sadar bahwa yang berada di depannya adalah kakak kandungnya bernama Rupaksa. Maksud kedatangan Rupaksa adalah untuk mengajak adiknya untuk membalas dendam, karena Raden Banterang telah membunuh ayahandanya. Surati menceritakan bahwa ia mau diperistri Raden Banterang karena telah berhutang budi. Dengan begitu, Surati tidak mau membantu ajakan kakak kandungnya. Rupaksa marah mendengar jawaban adiknya. Namun, ia sempat memberikan sebuah kenangan berupa ikat kepala kepada Surati. “Ikat kepala ini harus kau simpan di bawah tempat tidurmu,” pesan Rupaksa.

Pertemuan Surati dengan kakak kandungnya tidak diketahui oleh Raden Banterang, dikarenakan Raden Banterang sedang berburu di hutan. Tatkala Raden Banterang berada di tengah hutan, tiba-tiba pandangan matanya dikejutkan oleh kedatangan seorang lelaki berpakaian compang-camping. “Tuangku, Raden Banterang. Keselamatan Tuan terancam bahaya yang direncanakan oleh istri tuan sendiri,” kata lelaki itu. “Tuan bisa melihat buktinya, dengan melihat sebuah ikat kepala yang diletakkan di bawah tempat peraduannya. Ikat kepala itu milik lelaki yang dimintai tolong untuk membunuh Tuan,” jelasnya. Setelah mengucapkan kata-kata itu, lelaki berpakaian compang-camping itu hilang secara misterius. Terkejutlah Raden Banterang mendengar laporan lelaki misterius itu. Ia pun segera pulang ke istana. Setelah tiba di istana, Raden Banterang langsung menuju ke peraaduan istrinya. Dicarinya ikat kepala yang telah diceritakan oleh lelaki berpakaian compang-camping yang telah menemui di hutan. “Ha! Benar kata lelaki itu! Ikat kepala ini sebagai bukti! Kau merencanakan mau membunuhku dengan minta tolong kepada pemilik ikat kepala ini!” tuduh Raden Banterang kepada istrinya. “ Begitukah balasanmu padaku?” tandas Raden Banterang.”Jangan asal tuduh. Adinda sama sekali tidak bermaksud membunuh Kakanda, apalagi minta tolong kepada seorang lelaki!” jawab Surati. Namun Raden Banterang tetap pada pendiriannya, bahwa istrinya yang pernah ditolong itu akan membahayakan hidupnya. Nah, sebelum nyawanya terancam, Raden Banterang lebih dahulu ingin mencelakakan istrinya.

Raden Banterang berniat menenggelamkan istrinya di sebuah sungai. Setelah tiba di sungai, Raden Banterang menceritakan tentang pertemuan dengan seorang lelaki compang-camping ketika berburu di hutan. Sang istri pun menceritakan tentang pertemuan dengan seorang lelaki berpakaian compang-camping seperti yang dijelaskan suaminya. “Lelaki itu adalah kakak kandung Adinda. Dialah yang memberi sebuah ikat kepala kepada Adinda,” Surati menjelaskan kembali, agar Raden Banterang luluh hatinya. Namun, Raden Banterang tetap percaya bahwa istrinya akan mencelakakan dirinya. “Kakanda suamiku! Bukalah hati dan perasaan Kakanda! Adinda rela mati demi keselamatan Kakanda. Tetapi berilah kesempatan kepada Adinda untuk menceritakan perihal pertemuan Adinda dengan kakak kandung Adinda bernama Rupaksa,” ucap Surati mengingatkan.

“Kakak Adindalah yang akan membunuh kakanda! Adinda diminati bantuan, tetapi Adinda tolah!”. Mendengar hal tersebut , hati Raden Banterang tidak cair bahkan menganggap istrinya berbohong.. “Kakanda ! Jika air sungai ini menjadi bening dan harum baunya, berarti Adinda tidak bersalah! Tetapi, jika tetap keruh dan bau busuk, berarti Adinda bersalah!” seru Surati. Raden Banterang menganggap ucapan istrinya itu mengada-ada. Maka, Raden Banterang segera menghunus keris yang terselip di pinggangnya. Bersamaan itu pula, Surati melompat ke tengah sungai lalu menghilang.

Tidak berapa lama, terjadi sebuah keajaiban. Bau nan harum merebak di sekitar sungai. Melihat kejadian itu, Raden Banterang berseru dengan suara gemetar. “Istriku tidak berdosa! Air kali ini harum baunya!” Betapa menyesalnya Raden Banterang. Ia meratapi kematian istrinya, dan menyesali kebodohannya. Namun sudah terlambat.

Sejak itu, sungai menjadi harum baunya. Dalam bahasa Jawa disebut Banyuwangi. Banyu artinya air dan wangi artinya harum. Nama Banyuwangi kemudian menjadi nama kota Banyuwangi.

Origin of the City Banyuwangi
In ancient times the area of ​​the eastern tip of East Java Province, there is a large kingdom ruled by a just and wise king. The king had a son named Raden Banterang handsome. Raden Banterang is hunting craze. "This morning I'm going hunting in the woods. Prepare a hunting tool, "said Raden Banterang to his servants. After hunting equipment ready, Raden Banterang with several companions went to the woods. When Raden Banterang walking alone, he saw a deer crossed in front of him. He was soon chasing the deer to go deep into the forest. He separated from his entourage.
"Where a deer that?" Said Raden Banterang, when it lost track of his quarry. "I'll keep looking until you can," his determination. Raden Banterang through the bush and forest trees. However, the game was not found. He arrived in a very clear river water. "Hem, fresh river water nian," Raden Banterang drinking river water, to feel lost thirst. After that, he left the river. But only a few steps to walk, suddenly struck the arrival of a beautiful girl.
"Ha! A beautiful girl? Is it a man? It could be gatekeepers forest devil, "muttered Raden Banterang wonder. Raden Banterang ventured close to the pretty girl. "You're a human or a forest watchman?" Said Raden Banterang. "I'm human," she replied with a smile. Raden Banterang even introduce himself. Welcomed the beautiful girl. "My name comes from the kingdom of Klungkung Surati". "I was in this place due to escape from enemy attack. My father had died in defending the royal crown, "he explained. Hearing her words, Raden Banterang absurdly surprised. Seeing the suffering of the King of Klungkung's daughter, Raden Banterang immediate help and took her back to the palace. Soon they were married to build a happy family.
One day, the daughter of the King of Klungkung walked alone out of the palace. "Surati! Surati! ", Calling a man dressed in rags. After watching his face, he realized that that was in front of him is his brother named Rupaksa. Rupaksa purpose of his visit was to invite his brother to take revenge, because Raden Banterang had killed his father. Write to tell me that he would diperistri Raden Banterang for indebted. That way, Surati solicitation will not help his brother. Rupaksa angry at his sister's answer. However, it could provide a memorable form to Surati headband. "This headband should you keep under your bed," Rupaksa message.
Surati meeting with his brother Raden Banterang unknown, because Raden Banterang was hunting in the woods. When Raden Banterang in the middle of the forest, his eyes suddenly startled by the arrival of a man dressed in rags. "Tuangku, Raden Banterang. Jeopardized the safety of Mr planned by the wife of his own master, "the man said. "Sir can see the evidence, to see a headband is placed under a dusk. It's the headband guy who asked for help to kill Sir, "he explained. After saying those words, a man dressed in rags mysteriously disappeared. Raden Banterang troubled to hear reports that the mysterious man. He was soon back to the palace. After arriving at the palace, Prince Banterang peraaduan go directly to his wife. Looking for a headband that has been told by a man dressed in rags that have been encountered in the forest. "Ha! True said the man! This headband as proof! You want to kill me with a plan for help to the owners of this headband! "Accused Raden Banterang to his wife. "Is that how you repay me?" Said Raden Banterang. "Do not just accused. Adina did not intend to kill Kakanda, let alone ask for help to a man! "Said Surati. However Raden Banterang remain at its founding, the wife who had helped it would endanger his life. Well, before his life is threatened, Raden Banterang first want to harm his wife.
Raden Banterang intending to drown her in a river. After arriving at the river, Raden Banterang told about the meeting with a man in rags when hunting in the woods. The wife was told about the meeting with a man dressed in rags as her husband explained. "The man is the biological sister Adina. She gave me a headband to Adina, "Surati explain again, that his heart melted Banterang Raden. However, Raden Banterang continue to believe that she would harm herself. "Kakanda my husband! Open your heart and feelings Kakanda! Adina Kakanda willing to die for the sake of safety. But to give an opportunity to tell about meeting Adina Adina Adina biological sister named Rupaksa, "said Surati warned.
"Brother will kill kakanda Adindalah! Adina demand help, but Adina tolah ". Hearing this, the liquid heart Raden Banterang not even think his wife was lying .. "Kakanda! If the river water becomes clear and fragrant, meaning Adina innocent! But, if it is cloudy and smells rotten, mean Adina guilty, "cried Surati. Raden Banterang assume that her remarks absurd. So, Raden Banterang immediately drew his dagger tucked in his waistband. Alongside that, Surati jump into the middle of the river and disappeared.
Not long ago, there was a miracle. Nan fragrant smell spread around the river. Seeing the incident, Raden Banterang exclaimed in a trembling voice. "My wife is innocent! Fragrant water this time! "What a sorry Raden Banterang. He lamented the death of his wife, and regretted his folly. But it was too late.
Since then, the river becomes fragrant. In the Java language called Banyuwangi. Banyu means water that is sweet and fragrant. Banyuwangi name later became the name of the town of Banyuwangi.