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BROMO – Life, legend and natural greatness

Tengger’s cauldron stretches into the distance. With a diameter of 8 to 10 km. the entire area covers no less than 5,250 hectares. But at this time of day only the sloping edges are visible. A white haze seems to hang over it, covering most of the huge crater.

In the center, five peaks protrude from the haze, namely the Bromo, Batok, Widodaren, Kursi and Giri mountains. In the far background is Mount Semeru (3.6976 meters above sea level), the highest peak on the entire island of Java, standing tall and acting as an anchor for all the natural splendor seen at this point. . Meanwhile, volcanic smoke can be seen billowing continuously from Bromo, with occasional mushroom clouds rising from the symmetrical peak of Semeru, adding to the spectacular views. A greater sense of life.

The red tones of the eastern horizon gradually yellow. Slowly but surely, the glory of the sun emerges from behind the dark mountain ranges to the east of the island. The exceptional perspective becomes even clearer as the sun’s rays sweep over the peaks and pierce through the mists … impressive.

This is Bromo’s most famous and distinguished natural showcase at its best. Hundreds of people come each year to experience the rise of the Tengger caldera at sunrise.

It is said that a beautiful woman known by the name of Roro Anteng lived a long time ago. Due to her attractiveness, a day came when an evil giant possessing magical powers approached her to propose to her. Not daring to reject the giant outright, Roro Anteng asked him to turn it into a sandy desert among the mountains overnight. He hoped that the giant did not have the power to be able to fulfill his conditional request, moreover, before dawn.

But the giant wizard began to achieve the incredible that very night. Unfortunately, the giant started working very quickly. Witnessing this, Roro Anteng began to think about how to interrupt the giant’s work. An idea finally came to him, so he set about making all kinds of noises that would finally wake the roosters. Finally, the roosters began to crow, signaling the dawn.

Hearing the rooster crowing, the giant was stunned and very saddened that he had failed in his task. Frustrated, he threw the coconut shell (batok) that he used to dig, which then fell to the ground next to Mount Bromo, forming what is now known as Mount Batok. Rather, the sandy plain would form the Tengger caldera.

The story continues. Later, Roro Anteng met Joko Seger, a young descendant of the great Majapahit Kingdom, who led a lonely life in the desolate mountain range. Joko Seger and Roro Anteng soon fell in love and were married. they both live happily in peace and were blessed with many children. His bloodline continued his legacy. Over time they also gradually formed the tribal community of the Tengger (taken from the names ‘Roro Anteng’ and Joko Seger “). The Tengger tribe is now known as the Aboriginal people who occupy the Bromo area, the place where their ancestors started their life path from ancient times.

Surely this is the legend of the Bromo and Tenggerese origins that has been passed down from generation to generation … one among the many legends and myths surrounding the Bromo mountain range.

It is not difficult to understand the way of life and beliefs of these people. They live on the edge of a magnificent million-year-old caldera with four inactive and active volcanic peaks. Mount Bromo is one of the most active and therefore the humble character that is often reflected through the native peoples has become an inseparable part of their lives.

In those moments when Bromo starts to fuss and cough, it becomes a result of people’s misbehavior. They will then proceed to introspection to see what they did wrong and make up for it. In addition, every year there is a ceremony that consists of bringing offerings to the top of Bromo in gratitude for the blessings of the past year.

To facilitate interaction with nature, horses have also become people’s best companions. These powerful beasts are not indigenous to Bromo, but have been introduced from other areas. The horse tradition is relatively new, having opened doors and having more contact with the outside world. But the adaptation of the Tenggerese as horsemen has fitted. The horses have come in due time and the Tenggerese have formed to become the dual icons of Bromo.

And the Tenggerese tribe, who for centuries have been part of this natural legacy, are slowly but surely entering the tourism industry by becoming native tour guides. They use their mighty and obedient horses to lead visitors up the slopes of Bromo or accompany hunters at dawn in their 4×4 jeeps. All have become a new ritual and all have become new blessings for them.

In fact, nature continues to provide the blessing, and the Tengger tribe will continue this inherited harmonious relationship. Strong spiritual ties will never end.