Between Solo and Yogya

[A. G. Maisey]

No Pak Ganja, I beg you to please forgive me.

Apparently my use of language has been insufficiently clear. I dealt with this matter previously, but apparently I dealt with it in an inadequate fashion.

I will try again.

A cis is an ankus.

An ankus is a tool used to guide and control an elephant; such a tool is probably correctly named as a goad.

An ankus is not a weapon.

A harpoon is a tool used to spear whales, crocodiles and big fish. Strictly speaking this is also not a weapon.

A weapon is an implement which is used for fighting.

Here I quote my previous post of 17th July:- I feel that what has happened with this group of items that we know as "cis" in Solo, is this:- some of them are correctly named as "cis", and these are the ones that look, and probably functioned as, an angkus; the others which bear a resemblance to a correctly named cis, are in fact not cis at all, but various types of harpoon used to harpoon crocodiles, or sharks and other large fish.

Again I beg your forgiveness for being so imprecise and inadequate in the use of my own native language that I was unable to present information in a clear manner, in addition I feel that I must also ask your indulgence for causing you to waste so much of your valuable time on such an inconsequential matter.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Again I beg your forgiveness for being so imprecise and inadequate in the use of my own native language that I was unable to present information in a clear manner, in addition I feel that I must also ask your indulgence for causing you to waste so much of your valuable time on such an inconsequential matter.

Thank you Alan,
Your explanation gives me clear information about the meaning of the word "angkus". (I didn't find this word in my English dictionary). That's why I ask you explanation.

I found this example in museum, not by intention. I was just seeing the collections of the museum in Solo last week, and coincidentally saw this "elephant goad".

Thanks a lot, Alan
Ganjawulung

[A. G. Maisey]

If you cannot find "angkus", try "ankus". I've seen it spelled in both ways, and I'm not quite sure which is correct.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

If you cannot find "angkus", try "ankus". I've seen it spelled in both ways, and I'm not quite sure which is correct.

Thanks Alan,
I try to find it, either in bigger Longmans, Webster, Collin Cobuild dictionary, later.

Ganjawulung

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by ganjawulung

... I try to find it, either in bigger Longmans, Webster, Collin Cobuild dictionary, later...

You can find it here...

http://www.nga.gov.au/Wolfensohn/RED/ankus.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankus
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/d.../d0000989.html

[ganjawulung]

SO CLOSE YET SO FAR

This two cultural cities, Surakarta (Solo) and Yogyakarta in Central Java is so close, only 65 kms apart. Yet, they have quite significant differences in their keris style, and also their practice. Physically, but sometimes non-physically.

Some “solo-school” will say “that’s allright” for certain practice in keris. But “yogya-school” say, “no, you may not do that”. Practice of “mbesut” (refining old kerises), for instance. Solo-school will say, this practice is permitted. But yogya-school will say, no, you may not do that. Yogya will keep old pusakas, old form of kerises as they are, even if the keris edge is corroded.

Some “keris besutan” (keris which has been refined) are easily recognized, from the smooth edge, and also from the very tip of the blade. Solonese besutan, usually changed the tip of old kerises with different type of tip, named as “mbuntut tumo” (as the tail of louse). Once a keris was refined by solonese – even by the famous “ahli besut” of Solo royal palace named Matang – yogyanese would not want to collect it, even it is a good and original old keris from Pajajaran, or Majapahit whatever. Also, fanatic yogyanese won’t put new keris (nom-noman) from Solo in their collection. Newly made solonese keris, is quite different from “classic” style of keris, like Mataram kerises, or older.

Why so different? That is a matter of historical background. Back to the turning point of their brotherhood between the heir of Mataram and his brothers, in 1755. That was the year of “palihan nagari" (the division of the Mataram kingdom), as a result of civil war between the sons of Mataram ruler, Susuhunan Amangkurat Jawa (Amangkurat IV, 1719-1727).

The first rebellion came from Raden Mas Said, the son of Mangkunagoro -- the eldest son of Amangkurat Jawa -- not from the consort of King, but from the mistress. The heir, Susuhunan Paku Buwono II, actually was the 10th son of Amangkurat, but from the consort of King.

In 1745, King Paku Buwono II announced that anyone who could root out the rebellion of Raden Mas Said, would get Sukowati area – in the eastern part of Solo. Mangkubumi – the 21th of total 42 sons of Amangkurat Jawa but from the mistress of the King – succeeded to root out that rebellion. But the King PB II denied his promise. In anger, Mangkubumi then rebelled, and fighting against the King PB II which was backed by the VOC (Vereenigde Nederlandsche g’octroyeerde Oost-Indische Maatschapij, a European multi-nation company at that time).

PB II was very ill when this King “handed” the Kingdom to the VOC. Then PB II was died in 1749. The civil war still took place, until “Gianti Treaty” in 1755. This treaty, which was signed by Nicolaas Hartingh – on behalf of VOC and King of Mataram Paku Buwono III (successor of PB II) – and Mangkubumi, divided Mataram into two kingdoms: Yogyakarta (Mangkubumi, then Hamengku Buwono or HB I) and Surakarta (Paku Buwono III).

Related to “keris world”, Mangkubumi who became Hamengku Buwono I chose “the old style” of Keris, the style of Mataram. And from then the Surakarta kingdom applied “gagrak anyar” style, new style in their kerises, their sheaths. For the "gagrak anyar" style, Solonese kingdom modified the "pesisiran" (coastal state) style.

The ruler of Yogya, Hamengku Buwono I was the uncle of Paku Buwono III -- ruller of the Solonese kingdom. Even not only keris they have differences. Their wayang also had some differences in details and style. Quite significant. Also their style of music, dances….

Ganjawulung

[Raden Usman Djogja]

dear Gonjo,

after paliyan negari
If in Keraton Jogja, there are Kiai Plered & Kiai Kopek. There is Kiai Wewe Putih (Gumarang) in Pakualaman. How about in Keraton Solo and Mangkunegaran.

Usmen