Banyuwangi Legend

 

“ Banyuwangi Legend “

           Once upon time, there reigned in east java a king named Sindureja. He had prime minister named Sidapaksa. Sidapaksa had a very beautiful wife.

 

            Sidapaksa loved his wife deeply. They Lived in complete happiness. However, Sidapaksa’s mother didn’t like her daughter in law. Each day she tried to think a way to separate Sidapaksa from his wife. 

            One day, King Sindureja asked Sidapaksa to search for the bud of a magic flower on mount Ijen. It was a long and dangerous journey. The assignment from the king was so important and urgent. Sidapaksa had to leave his pregnant wife.

Not long afterwards,a son was born. The baby birth gave much happiness to the young mother.

            However,one day, while this young mother was bathing,her evil mother in law threw the baby in to the river. Knowing that her baby has disappeared, the young mother was very sad. She could neither eat nor sleep. She became very ill. 

            Two years passed and sidapaksa returned from his journey. He succeeded in doing his duty. Just as he was about to enter his house, her mother told him that his wife had thrown their baby in to the river,

            Sidapaksa believed his mother story. He was too angry to use his common sense. He drew his kris and approached his wife who was lying weak on her bed.

‘Ah, wicked woman. Tell me why you threw our new born child in to the river. Tell me!’ he said in a rough and angry voice

“oh my dearest husband. I am innocent. I love you, and our baby. I did not kill our child. If you don’t believe me, carry me to the river. I will prove that I did not do it”. Replied his wife calmly.

            Sidakpaksa took her wife to the edge of the river. Suddenly. His wife leaped up and threw herself in to the river.

“Oh my god! How will I know who killed my child? Moaned sidapaksa.”

            Then he looked down at water. Suddenly, two pure white flower buds appears one larger and taller than the other. A sweet fragrance came from them.

“Sidapaksa, look her! Beside me is our child . He himself will tell you who drowned him” the taller one spoke.

“Father, my mother is innocent. Grandmother threw me into the river. Now I am happy because my beloved mother has come with me” the smaller one spoke. Then , the two flowers vanished  in to water . they left their fragrance behind.

Since then, people call the city on its banks of the river, Banyuwangi, banyu means water an d wangi means fragrant