The Java-nese Avatar

Tell me what is in your mind when you read/heard the word “Java”? Yep, it’s coffee (though it’s actually not), or a software for fun, or a programming language!!

(Damn it) True, that is what I found about “Java” when google it (seriously?). But hold on, Java is actually the name of an island in Indonesia, the place where I was born, grew up (tsk tsk tsk), and on the first time: learn the values of life. Here are some elderly Javanese quotes that are strongly remaining in the communities to date.

Sugih tanpo bondo (wealthy without possessions)

Nglurug tanpo bolo (attack without forcing)

Menang tanpo ngasorake (won without toppling)

Digdoyo tanpo jopo (unbeatable without spells)

Interesting huh? Now, what do you know about the Javanese Avatar? Ahaaa …….

Well, he’s named Semar, who’s the manifestation of a deity in bodily form on earth. He acts at once as unofficial adviser and mentor of the center Heroes in Javanese epic. He even said to be the guardian spirit (dhanyang) of the island of Java. However, the deity only manifests himself as ugly or otherwise too much impressive the humans, so does Semar. In the epic, he accompanied by his ‘ugly’ (but mighty) three adopted son, named Gareng, Petruk, and Bagong. Those four at once called Punakawan, and here they are.

Punokawan in the Wayang performance titled Kalimasada Munca at The Jakarta Art Buliding 

(pic from Jerry Adiguna’s gallery)

Since I was a kid, as a Javanese, I've been told the Javanese epic adopted from Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The story usually narrates in Javanese theater which is well known as Wayang (though I also learnt it from bed time stories/books/cultural manuscript/comics). When I grow up, I further realized that the Punakawan in the epic has never been told in any of the original Mahabharata scripts. They appear only in the adapted version of Javanese ancient manuscript. Here are their description.

Semar the deity who’s once named Batara Ismaya but well-known as Ki Lurah Semar Badranaya, is a short and plump man with bulge belly: a symbol of the mother earth. He has puffy watery eyes but always smiles: a symbol of sadness and happiness. He is an old man but having a tuft: an old hair style of Javanese kids (kuncung), as symbol of old and youth together. He is a man but having breasts like a woman (as he is plump) as a symbol of men and women in life. And he is a deity but lives as an ordinary people: a symbol of the chief/leader that does assimilate his life with his common people. Besides his appearance with full of symbol, Semar has supernatural ability that is greater than the other deities

Gareng or Nala Gareng is Semar’s oldest son, having legged lame as a symbol of his carefulness in life, and broken arm as a symbol of his honesty for never take something doesn't belong to him. It’s said, he once named Bambang Sukodadi, was a fair knight, but was arrogant ad too proud of himself. By mistake, he fought other knight (was then becoming his foster brother: Petruk) till death. In fact those two were so great and none was won or defeated, instead both get seriously injured, got broken face and turning into ugly.

Petruk, Semar’s second son, was once named Bambang Panyukilan, he was a handsome knight, jovial, friendly, with smiling face but love to fight merely to test his great ability. By destiny, one day he encounters Bambang Sukodadi and those two were misunderstand to each other and start the damaging fought. Petruk Kantong Bolong the smiling person is a smart speaker and like to satirize bad circumstances with his joke as symbol of kind-hearted and intelligence.

It’s said Semar accompanied by Bagong, encountered the never ending fought between Bambang Sukodadi - Bambang Panyukilan, and arbitrate those two undying but seriously injured knights. As an incredible wise deity, he gives advice that deeply touch the feeling of the two hopeless knights and made them beg to be pardoned and adopted as his son: Gareng and Petruk.

Bagong the youngest son was actually the shadow of Semar. Before Batara Ismaya sent down to earth to fulfill his duties, God gives him a companion who was created from his shadow. Bagong is a character for pure entertainment. He has almost no manners but honest, smart but pretend not to, and extremely hilarious. He is plump with the his cow-eyes and enormously thick lips as symbol of the innocence and the outspoken.

The Punakawan mostly appear in the second act of Wayang performance and their characters are much-loved by audiences who watch the Wayang performances. At this time, the Punakawan doesn't only appear in the Wayang performance but could be at any show everywhere.

In general, it’s obvious; Punakawan with Semar the avatar as the central character is the genuine of the “Javanese” culture, the one of the ethnic group in Indonesia native from "Java" Island.

The Punokawan was created to send a message to the community to maintain the life in such a way that represents the values of wisdom, humility, happiness, carefulness, honesty, kind-hearted, intelligence, innocence/purity, and outspoken.

I couldn't agree more than this. And I'm so proud of this legacy. Hey, here they are in one of the Javanese restaurant I was visiting during my stay in Jakarta.

Nice and cute huh?!