The Mythological Creature
Baron Sekeber's
Baron Sekeber or Baron Skeber is one of the famous plays in the staging of ketoprak art. It is said that he was a Spanish (or Dutch according to Serat Babad Pati[1]) who was stranded in Pati.
[Legenda]
Origin of Editing
Serat Babad Pati[2] (translation page 85) mentions that Baron Sekeber is a descendant of nobles from the Netherlands. His eldest brother, Baron Sukmul, was the king of the Netherlands in the City of Amsterdam, the second was Baron Sekeder who ruled England and his kingdom in Spain. The third brother was Baron Setember who became the coach of Baron Sekeder, and the youngest was Baron Sekeber. As he was of noble descent, Serat Babad Pati gave him the title Raden Baron Sekeber.[1]
He lived during the reign of Panembahan Senapati, the first king of the Mataram Sultanate, and Duke Jayakusuma (Duke of Pragola) who ruled Pati. Baron Sekeber refused the position offered by Baron Sukmul to him, but intended to rule Mataram. It is said that he came to Java by flying in the air to the east. He learned Javanese in Palembang before continuing his intentions.[1]
Another version says, Baron Sekeber is a man of Spanish descent who travels the world in search of spices. His ship broke up in the Java Sea so he was forced to swim to the beach. He reached the Pati area in tatters and communicated with the locals using sign language. Because the inhabitants were still suspicious of him, he chose to live in the forest, although it often descended into residential areas.[3]
The war against Panembahan Senapati Sunting
Baron Sekeber was able to meet Panembahan Senapati easily. They immediately fought one on one, and the victory was achieved by Panembahan Senapati. Baron Sekeber fled to Mount Muria and then ascended to Patiayam Hill, in a well near the mouth of the cave.[4]
The Pati Edting
From his hermitage, Baron Sekeber can see the beauty of Pati City. He then went down to Kemiri Village and met a girl named Rara Sari or Rara Suli, the daughter of a widow in the village. Baron Sekeber stayed at the widow's house until Rara Suli gave birth to twin sons named Danurwenda and Sirwenda. Local residents reported the incident to Duke Jayakusuma who became the ruler of Pati. The mother and child went to his residence.[4]
Back to Mataram Editing
Panembahan Senapati or Sutawijaya who is Jayakusuma's brother-in-law heard the magic horse owned by his sister-in-law. He intended to exchange the horse of the Gardener for a large and powerful bull named Pregolan. That is why, Jayakusuma eventually also known as the Duke of Pregolan. Baron Sekeber felt angry because he originally intended to rule Mataram now even became a slave there. Once, when Sutawijaya visited his teacher across the sea, he transformed into the king and molested all his concubines, except the empress.[4] Sutawijaya who felt the irregularity immediately returned home and found the actions of Baron Sekeber. He immediately ordered the arrest of the Gardener to be killed instantly, so Baron Sekeber died.[5]
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Baron Sekeber in historical research Edit
Praba Hapsoro, based on the Sangkala Chronicle[5], wrote that Sutawijaya became the regent of Mataram in 1584 AD, becoming king two years later. He quarreled with his brother-in-law, Duke Jayakusuma, which led to Jayakusuma's death in 1600 AD. Around this time, the Netherlands was still not a sovereign state, but a Spanish colony and had no king.[6]
The term baron is a German title. Dr HJ de Graff stated that the title of baron was unknown to the Javanese before meeting with VOC Governor-General Gustaaf Willem Baron. It is likely that Baron Sekeber was inspired by various German barons recruited by the VOC (Johan Andries Baron von Hohendorff, GW Baron van Imhoff, Baron van der Capellen).[7]
According to Dr. Th Pigeaud, the story of Baron Sekeber originated from the Sikayat Iskandar Zulkarnaen, a reference to the Arabic story by al-Suri.Some parts of it are quoted by the authors of the History of Malay (1612) and Serik Sekender (19th century), then quoted again by the author of Serat Babad Pati with the name Raden Baron Sekeber. The name Baron Sukmul is probably derived from the birth name of the first Governor General of the VOC, Jan Pieterszoon Coen. [8]
In a conversation with Sultan Agung in 1622, a VOC envoy named Dr. H. De Haen asked about a man named the Gardener. Sultan Agung explained that Juru Taman was an Italian who worked for his father, Panembahan Hanyakrawati, on the kaputren section. However, because of his actions that disturbed the king's concubines, he was then transferred to Krapyak (the protected forest where the king hunts deer). The Parksman is also called Mas Beard because of its large tall stature and beard.[8]