Chereads / Satria Galuh (English) / Chapter 5 - Keraton Pagaruyung

Chapter 5 - Keraton Pagaruyung

From deep in the sea, the sun's rays are ready to shine and the first time that shines is the Keraton Pagaruyung which stands majestically with carvings on its walls which are full of gold and silver sparkling colors that stand on the hill of Tanjung Emas. It is a keraton built from the wood of the largest iron tree in the Tanah Minangkabau which is immersed in water for a thousand nights so that it is resistant to shocks and weather changes. The wall motifs have pictures of plants, animals and symbols of life that give the meaning of alam takambang menjadi guru.

And the tapered roof of gold-plated palm fiber towers up through the clouds as if the Keraton Pagaruyung is supporting the Minangkabau sky. There are 360 gonjong roofs in the Keraton Pagaruyung and the 99 tallest gonjongs form a semicircular line when viewed from space and can be seen from the horizon of the shining light reaching the Tanah Mentawai on an island in the middle of the ocean.

Inside the keraton, large wooden pillars serve as supports that are plated with gold and silver. From the steps of the entrance ran a courtiers to bring news to the chief by climbing the forty steps.

"My majesty, I bring news that this year's Jewel Contest is ready to be held." The courtiers bowed respectfully in front of the Minangkabau chieftain.

And from his throne the Minangkabau chieftain stood go out to see the happy day he was holding, after arriving the courtiers reported that in the arena all the young jewel users had gathered to take part in the contest. The courtiers also escorted his majestic steps towards the vast courtyard that had been prepared for the jewels' competition.

The competition arena is located in the southern part of the keraton close to Tanjung Mamutih which takes a long time. Therefore, the Minangkabau chieftain headed for the arena using a white buffalo as his majestic mount.

"Ha ha ha…. O my children, here we live in peace with the natural order that teaches the good way of life. But what can you do, fame must be beautiful and maintain what needs to be preserved in defending the Tanah Minangkabau. That's why I gathered you for proof that our land is still in this world. An akik era, hahaha…"

After giving a speech the Minangkabau chieftain sat down to watch the fight that was about to begin. Various kinds of banquets were served to accompany the guests, the penghulu (nobles) who came were invited.

Minangkabau people from every corner gathered on the hill of Tanjung Emas to witness the moment when the best jewel contest took place this year. From children to the elderly, ready to witness the actions of young people who are brave to show their strength.

Beginning with the blowing of the trumpet, the match begins. And the person who stands first in the middle of the arena is the challenger from the previous year's best winner, so whoever comes forward is ready to measure his abilities with the best jewels in Minangkabau.

"This is the challenger who becomes the champion. Kiliran Jao's with the batu sungai Dareh whose name is admired by all Minangkabau people..."

The person mentioned also entered the field. A large field in the middle of the arena and the audience sits around in a roofless building that forms an oval with arches on the right and left as taller like the horns of a buffalo.

Seen the Minangkabau chieftain standing on the tip of the top right horn, Kiliran Jao saluted the chief by bowing his body. To the end of the horn on the left is the place that usually Kiliran Jao sits as the winner.

The dashing young man wore a headband that covered his hair, and a tall, stocky body clad in black clothes ready to take on a challenge. And the first challenger who came far from the Tanah Lampung entered the arena.

A fair-skinned young man with short blond hair came with a great response from the audience. "This is Kalianda with his batu anggur api." The presenter introduces himself.

The match started immediately. A faint smile from his downcast face and stone fingers. "Batu anggur api bersinar, fireballs." The airfield in the arena was filled with blazing fireballs which made Kiliran Jao surprised to see him for the first time seeing the many fireballs flying into the air above his head.

Kiliran Jao took a step back when he saw Kalianda smiled at Kiliran Jao's expression, but the Minangkabau youth had not yet shown his strength.

"Rain of Fire!" said Kalianda while pointing to the air above which was full of fireballs with ringed fingers, and a batu anggur api glowed with power.

As the balls started to fall, Kiliran Jao raised his right arm and a bracelet glowed. "Batu sungai Dareh bersinar, whirlpool…." He shouted, and in each fireball came a small whirlpool which was every moment a grape-sized fireball.

The fireball seemed to be squeezed by the swirling water and sparks filled the air with fireworks that made the audience roar with applause. You guys who witnessed Kiliran Jao's prowess gritted their teeth.

Not lost there, Kalianda chanted the mantra again. "Batu anggur api bersinar, fireshoot…" Kalianda sprinted around the arena by shooting fire at Kiliran Jao through his ringed finger.

Calmly, Kiliran Jao dodged Kalianda's shot. Closing his eyes, concentrating on the flow of sastra, he used his syair-technique. "Dari kejernihan mata air sungai Dareh, ARUS MEMATIKAN." Kiliran Jao raised his arm and from a batu sungai Dareh came out a stream of water that was getting bigger and bigger until Kalianda couldn't avoid it and he fell wet and out of breath from being carried away by the mighty river current.

Kiliran Jao won the first match and the next opponent came trying to conquer his power. This time, it was the youth of the same land as him who came to control a batu suliki. And the match of the two elements of water took place.

The battle of the two jewels made the audience amazed to see it. The sastra power of the two jewels that manipulate the water element seems to create a water ride that makes most visitors wet from the splashes of water. However, the referee of the jewel contest cleared the battle area after the battle was over which was won by Kiliran Jao.

Of the two battles that Kiliran Jao has won, there are still many challengers from various lands and of course as the defending champion, Kiliran Jao is not afraid to face that fight. Even he still looks fit which makes people admire him even more. []