Nyai Loro Kidul
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Nyai Loro Kidul ("Queen of the South," also known as Kangjeng Ratu Kidul) is a Javanese goddess of the South Sea, often illustrated as a mermaid.
She has many different names, which reflect the diverse stories of origin, however for many Javanese it is important that the appelations are used when mentioning her name - never 'just the name'- but always with Nyai or Kangjeng or other honorifics .
Pelabuhan Ratu, a city in West Java, celebrates an annual holiday in her honor on (New years day in the Javanese calendar). She is also associated with Parangtritis and Pangandaran. There is a local belief that wearing a green garment in these areas will anger her and will bring misfortune on the wearer.
Legends recount her love for the Sultan Agung of Mataram, which continues to be recounted in the ritualized bedhaya dance by the royal line of Surakarta, and she is honored by the sultans of Yogyakarta. When Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX died on October 3, 1988, the Tempo newsmagazine reported her sighting by palace servants, who were sure she was paying her final tribute to the dead ruler.
[edit] Reference
- Becker, Judith. Gamelan Stories: Tantrism, Islam, and Aesthetics in Central Java. Arizona State University Program for Southeast Asian Studies, 1993. ISBN 1-881044-06-8
