Fahad Blogs: Sunan Geseng - Ki Cokrojoyo - History of Islam in Indonesia

Entrance to Tomb of Sunan Geseng Tuban
Image Cr: Tuti Julvianti and Fahad Hussain circa 25/01/2020

Name: Raden Mas Ki Cokrojoyo - Sunan Geseng

Other Names: Sunan Geseng, Sunan Gosong, Prince Bumi Mataram (Yogjakarta), Ki Ageng Gribik

Father’s Name: Prince Semono

Mother’s Name: Unknown

Wife's Name: Siti Zubaedah

Birth: Unknown

Death: Unknown

In Tuban District, there is one of the tombs of students which is quite phenomenal, namely Sunan Geseng who is famous for his righteousness, who was immune to fire. The name of Sunan Geseng cannot be separated from the fame of Sunan Kalijaga as one of the guardians of Songo. The famous Sunan Kalijaga also affects his students who are powerful and good at preaching.

According to Babad Jalasutra, Ki Cakrajaya was also a student of Sunan Panggung or Raden Watiswara Cucu Raden Brawijaya V who was buried in the Kutan hamlet, Jatirejo Village, Lendah District, Kulonprogo. His grave is located on the hill alongside the river Progo. Some people think that Ki Cakrajaya and Sunan Panggung are the same person.

The tomb of Sunan Geseng is located in the Punggur Forest area, Geseng Village, Semanding District, Tuban. Sunan Geseng was a student of Sunan Kalijaga. His real name is Ki Cokrojoyo, one of the Prince Bumi Mataram (Yogjakarta) who was exiled in Tuban. The nickname Geseng itself was given by his teacher, namely Sunan Kalijaga.

Based on the Javanese pedigree Raden Mas Cokrojoyo is descended from King Brawijaya with Dewi Rengganis, who gave birth to Raden Rara Rengganis II. Then Ki Ageng Pakotesan married Raden Rara Rengganis II gave birth to Prince Semono or often called Pangeran Muryo. From the marriage of Prince Semono, Raden Mas Cokrojoyo was born.

Meeting with Sunan Kalijaga

Based on the Babad Tanah Jawi, Cokrojoyo meeting with Kalijaga is believed when Kanjeng Sunan traveled to the Bagelan area (now in Purworejo) to spread Islam in the area.

It is said, on one hot afternoon, Sunan Kalijaga walked through siwalan trees (palm, palm tree, kawung). On the tree there was an old man named Cokrojoyo from the village of Gesing, who was tasting siwalan fruit (taking siwalan juice to make palm sugar; taping kawung).

While relaxing under the tree, Sunan Kalijaga heard Cokrojoyo singing a song:

"Lilo-lilo ... lilo-lilo ... lilo-lilo ..."

He repeatedly sang the song. Sunan Kalijaga enjoyed it carefully while watching him full of charm. Until the he descended from the siwalan tree.

"Lilo-lilo ... what is that song, Grandpa?"

"Oh, Son every day I work like this, as a laborer to get rid of siwalan. So, that this difficult life does not feel difficult, so I sing always lilo-lilo (Yes be patient, be patient).

Sunan Kalijaga also asked about the proceeds from the sale of palm sugar, and Cokrojoyo answered that the proceeds of the sugar to be used for the poor.

"Hearing it, Sunan Kalijaga then asked Cokrojoyo "Can it be replaced with something better, Grandpa?"

"What's the change, Son?"

"Laa ilaaha illallah".

Sunan Kalijaga then continued his journey to another place," after that, Cokrojoyo returned to the activity of making palm sugar by singing using his new poem obtained from the Sunan. Cokrojoyo was very surprised to see the processed sugar turned out to be gold bars.

Tomb of Sunan Geseng (L) higher grave and his wife Siti Zubeidah (R) lower grave
Image Cr: Tuti Julvianti and Fahad Hussain circa 25/01/2020

Main entrance to the Tomb
Image Cr: Tuti Julvianti and Fahad Hussain circa 25/01/2020

After realizing this oddity, Cokrojoyo then sought out Sunan Kalijaga to express his gratitude and at the same time request that he be appointed as a student of Sunan Kalijaga. Since then, Cokrojoyo has been a student of Sunan Kalijaga.

The story begins when Ki Cokrojoyo intends to study with Sunan Kalijaga. In his wandering, he finally met him in the Punggur Forest area and learned from him. It is said that to test his heart, Ki Cokrojoyo was ordered by Sunan Kalijaga to prostrate on a boulder while waiting for a bamboo stick to be planted in front of him.

At that time, Sunan Kalijaga forgot, so that when he returned, the location was full of bamboo forests and shrubs.

Difficult to find the whereabouts of his student, Sunan Kalijaga, burned the grove of bamboo trees. From the burning, Ki Cokrojoyo was scorched like charcoal (geseng). Miraculously, Ki Cokrojoyo did not die and only turned black. Since then Ki Cokrojoyo has been nicknamed Sunan Geseng.

After studying Islam from Sunan Kalijaga, then Sunan Geseng was assigned to preach in Purworejo, Central Java and surrounding areas such as in Klaten, Yogyakarta, Magelang, Demak, to Tuban East Java. The existence of the tomb of Sunan Geseng was not only one, but also found in several areas and each was trusted by local residents.

Legend of Magical Tree

In fact there is still a legacy of the Dewandaru tree (a magical tree so that prayer is granted) that grows right in front of the tomb complex. Dewandaru tree is believed to cure various diseases, especially internal diseases.

Legend of Jatinom area, Klaten

They know Sunan Geseng as Ki Ageng Gribik. The nickname departs from the choice of Sunan Geseng to live in a gribik-roofed house - the weaving of palm leaves.

According to local legend, when Ki Ageng Gribik returned from performing the pilgrimage, he saw the population of Jatinom starving. He brought a piece of apem cake, distributed to hundreds of starving people. Everyone gets it.

Ki Ageng Gribik asked the hungry people to eat a slice of a pem cake while saying the dhikr: Ya-Qowiyyu (Allah Almighty). They were full and healthy. Until now, the Jatinom community revived the legend of Ki Ageng Gribik by holding a "Ya-Qowiyyu" ceremony every year in Islamic month of Safar and in the month of Ramadhan, on the 20th day of the night. In addition, in Kleteran Village (located below Tirto Village) there is also a Islamic Boarding School called the Sunan Geseng Islamic Boarding School.

Legend of Demak

After being famous by the name of Sunan Geseng, Sunan Kalijaga included him in the board of trustees in Demak and therefore; in the assembly he appoints Sunan Geseng as treasurer of the Kingdom of Demak Bintoro. Sunan Geseng was ordered to prepare food and drinks for the inauguration of Raden Fatah's inauguration guests as Sultan of Demak.

Only one more day of inauguration arrived, Sunan Kalijaga looked at the kitchen where preparations were being prepared. What a surprise; Sunan Kalijaga saw that there are no preparations going on so far.

The cooks were immediately asked by Sunan Kalijaga, and they said that they had not yet received all the necessities required for the meal from Sunan Geseng.

Hurriedly Sunan Kalijaga started looking for Sunan Geseng to be held responsible. Sunan Geseng who was absorbed in praying to Allah SWT in the mosque was shocked by the arrival of his teacher.

After Sunan Kalijaga told everything to Sunan Geseng, he was surprised and apologized because he forgot his assignment because of the excitement of praying.

As soon as possible Sunan Geseng went to the forest, he was confused about what to do. While the show would be live tomorrow morning. He then prayed and received inspiration, Sunan Geseng immediately looked for bamboo and cut it into short pieces. After getting what he was looking for, Sunan Geseng immediately met with Sunan Kalijaga to report that his work is almost done.

After meeting Sunan Kalijaga was confused and asked, "How can all meals be available with only a short bamboo stick?" Sunan Geseng answered, "Wait a minute, watch what happens first".

Entrance Approach road to the Tomb
Image Cr: Tuti Julvianti and Fahad Hussain circa 25/01/2020

Track leading to the Historical Stone
Image Cr: Tuti Julvianti and Fahad Hussain circa 25/01/2020

A Limestone hill near by with a certain cave
Image Cr: Tuti Julvianti and Fahad Hussain circa 25/01/2020

Image Cr: Tuti Julvianti and Fahad Hussain circa 25/01/2020

Road leading to Tomb of Sunan Geseng surrounded with lush green forests.
It is a link road connecting Pantura and Babat Tuban road.
Image Cr: Tuti Julvianti and Fahad Hussain circa 25/01/2020

Forest around the Tomb
Image Cr: Tuti Julvianti and Fahad Hussain circa 25/01/2020

As soon as possible Sunan Geseng prayed, and suddenly from the hollow bamboo came a sound and quite a lot of tempeh started to coming out. "Hmmmm, that's great. What can come out from your bamboo? " Sunan Kalijaga muttered. Soon Sunan Geseng prayed and eventually, tempeh came out of his bamboo. Sunan Kalijaga said, "Well ... this is the inauguration ceremony for the king to cook the side dishes only not tempeh, can a goat or cow come from this small hole?"

Sunan Geseng again prayed, the goat and sapip came out of bamboo. Finally, all the necessities for a meal were fulfilled and the inauguration of Raden Patah as the Sultan was successfully held.

Tombs

Sunan Geseng continued to promote Islam until the end of his life. The tomb of Sunan Geseng is believed to be located in Jolosutro Hamlet, Piyungan District, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta.

In addition, the tomb of Sunan Geseng is also believed to exist in a village called Desa Tirto, at the foot of Mount Andong - near Gungung Telomoyo - administratively under Gramag Sub-district, Magelang Regency, Central Java and Punggur Forest area, Geseng Village, Semanding District, Tuban, East Java. There is also a Islamic Boarding School called the Sunan Geseng Islamic Boarding School near Tirto Village.

Other than the tomb building which I visited in Tuban, there are also dedicated rest area for visitors, area for ablution, toilets, and mosque. There are also historical heritage sites, such as flat stone which is believed to be the place of Sunan Geseng's appearance when burned.