Literature of Nusantara Indonesia

Salatiga is small city in Central Java, Indonesia and located between Semarang  and Surakarta city.  It situated at the foot of Merbabu and Telomoyo Mount, and has a relatively cool climate due to its elevated position. This city has a history of why it is called Salatiga.  And this is the story …

Once upon a time, there was a king his name is Adipati Pandanarang II, who governed Semarang as regent. His people loved him very much because he was honest and wise but he loves to his exuberant wealth. The character of Adipati was heard by Sunan Kalijaga, he is a wise wali. Sunan wants to remains Pandanarang II through passing off as seller of grass and sell it to the king with very low price. Adipati just gives him 5 sen for his grass. Everyday, the king ask to the seller to put the grass into the stable but the seller inserts his money from the king between the grass. The money was found by the servant of the king and he told to his employer.

And what has done by the seller of grass makes the king angry, he felt that the seller mock him

and ask to the seller why he doesn’t received the money. The seller said that he doesn’t need the wealth because it never lasting. And he also said that there was gold and diamond in the palace yard. The seller prove it to the king and the result there was gold and diamond inside it. Finally, the king knows that the seller is Sunan Kalijaga. He asks apologize to Sunan and Adipati ask to become his follower. Sunan Kalijaga agree of his idea but he must leaves his wealth.  

Adipati’s wife joined with her husband. But, she doesn’t willing to leaves her wealth and give it to the poor people. She asks to her husband to goes earlier. After that, this women saves her gold and diamond into her bamboo stick.   

The king and Sunan Kalijaga walk together but in their way they meet with three robbers.

“If you want the wealth, just wait the old women. She brings her gold and diamond in her bamboo stick,” Said Sunan Kalijaga.

Then, the queen come with her stick. Three robbers ask the women’s stick and carry away from her. The queen just cry. When she met with her husband and Sunan, she told the story to them about what happened to her. 

Sunan said “ You doesn’t hear what your husband said. if you want to follow me just leave your wealth”.

To remain that tragedy, Sunan Kalijaga named the place “Salah Tiga” which literally meant  three mistakes. Salah is mistake and tiga is three.

Sunan Kalijaga said that there were three mistakes in that place, the  first is king’s mistake because he is very loves of his wealth, second is the queen’s mistake, and the last is the robbers. Day by day Salah Tiga become Salatiga.  Nowadays, this city become the busy city.   

Salatiga Shopping Center 

Source:

Marina Asril Reza, 2011, 108 Cerita Rakyat Terbaik Asli Nusantara (Cerita Kepahlawanan, Mitos, Legenda, Dongeng, & Fabel dari 33 Provinsi), Jakarta: Visimedia