This is a legend about the creation of Mount Bromo, a famous mountain in East Java, which is so famous with the beautifulness of sun rises panorama on it's peak.
Hundred years ago, during the reign of the last king of Majapahit (13-14 century AD), Brawijaya, one of the King's wives gave birth to a girl, Roro Anteng. Later she got married to Joko Seger, from Brahman (priests) caste. Because of an unfortunate situation, they were forced to leave the kingdom. They settled an area in the mountain, named it "Tengger."
For years, they were unhappy because they didn't have a child. They climbed the peak of the mountain, prayed to gods. Betara Bromo (God of Fire) promised them many children, but they have to sacrifice their youngest children.
They finally got 25 children, and they had to sacrifice the youngest, Kesuma, but they hid him. But an eruption happened and Kesuma fell into the crater. Then his voice heard: "I have to be sacrificed so that you will all stay alive. From now on you should arrange an annual ceremony on the 14th of Kesodo."
Child Sacrifice
As you can see in Carthage, child sacrifice was widely common in the ancient world. Ttuth or not, it has not been reported in Japan.BACK
Kesodo
The twelfh month of Tenggerese calendar.BACK