Nyai Roro Kidul
Human to Myth
Where is Kidul from?
Mataram
A Myth is Born...
Most tales have Kidul banished to a forest where she wandered
until she came to the cliffs overlooking the southern sea (Indian
Ocean). This is where the various myths begin to emerge. Some
authors claim that Kidul threw herself into the waves in
desperation, after which she was drawn into the depths of the ocean
to a palace where she was crowned the Queen of the Southern Seas,
where she now resides over the evil spirits of Java. However, a
majority of authors say that Kidul heard voices of spirits or gods
urging her to enter the broiling waves so that she might regain her
former beauty and become the queen of the spirit world.
But How?
Kidul was able to become a fabled figure
due to preexisting beliefs of her sociogeographical area, its cultural use of
symbolism, and the roles females assumed
as rulers.
Pre-existing Beliefs
•
There is a general tradition in Mataram that founders of new states must
marry princesses who come from supernatural origins. This is important
because the society of Mataram would want to explain why their king’s
consort was exiled from her kingdom in the first place. Otherwise, Kidul
would be unable to assimilate into the preconceived notion that the rulers
of Mataram were supernatural. Therefore, it would stand to fit that the
society of Mataram would create and spread a myth about her in order
to accept her into their culture.
Symbolisim
Kidul is often characterized as a snake-like figure which is an
important factor because snake-spirits are symbols known and
used throughout the Indonesian archipelago. In the region,
snakes are often the physical manifestation of tutelary spirits and
are perceived to the local owners of the soil and guardians of its
fertility, wealth, and welfare. Kidul is often characterized as a
snake-like figure which is an important factor because snake-
spirits are symbols known and used throughout the Indonesian
archipelago. In the region, snakes are often the physical
manifestation of tutelary spirits and are perceived to the local
owners of the soil and guardians of its fertility, wealth, and
welfare.
Roles Females Assumed
When Ruling
A ruler’s consort was partially
responsible for the fertility of the
region and promotion of fertility is
symbolized through water. As
mentioned before, Kidul is closely
connected to the water, therefore, what
is required from the royal consort can
be construed as mystical, exemplifying
Kidul’s growing mysticism
Therefore....
Nyai Roro Kidul was able to undergo a
metamorphosis from a historical figure to a mystical
being because of the preexisting beliefs in her
geographical area, the cultural use of symbolism, and
the role females assumed when ruling.
Cultural Relevance to This Day
Questions???