Nyai Roro Kidul

Human to Myth

Where is Kidul from?

Mataram

A Myth is Born...Most tales have Kidul banished to a forest where she

wandered until she came to the cliffs overlooking the

southern sea (Indian Ocean). This is where the various

myths begin to emerge. Some authors claim that Kidul

threw herself into the waves in desperation, after which

she was drawn into the depths of the ocean to a palace

where she was crowned the Queen of the Southern Seas,

where she now resides over the evil spirits of Java.

However, a majority of authors say that Kidul heard

voices of spirits or gods urging her to enter the broiling

waves so that she might regain her former beauty and

become the queen of the spirit world.

But How?Kidul was able to become a fabled

figure due to preexisting beliefs of

her socio-geographical area, its

cultural use of symbolism, and the

roles females assumed as rulers.

Pre-existing Beliefs

• There is a general tradition in Mataram that founders of new states

must marry princesses who come from supernatural origins. This is

important because the society of Mataram would want to explain

why their king’s consort was exiled from her kingdom in the first

place. Otherwise, Kidul would be unable to assimilate into the

preconceived notion that the rulers of Mataram were supernatural.

Therefore, it would stand to fit that the society of Mataram would

create and spread a myth about her in order to accept her into their

culture.

SymbolisimKidul is often characterized as a snake-like figure

which is an important factor because snake-spirits are

symbols known and used throughout the Indonesian

archipelago. In the region, snakes are often the

physical manifestation of tutelary spirits and are

perceived to the local owners of the soil and guardians

of its fertility, wealth, and welfare. Kidul is often

characterized as a snake-like figure which is an

important factor because snake-spirits are symbols

known and used throughout the Indonesian

archipelago. In the region, snakes are often the

physical manifestation of tutelary spirits and are

perceived to the local owners of the soil and guardians

of its fertility, wealth, and welfare.

Roles Females Assumed When Ruling

A ruler’s consort was partially

responsible for the fertility of the

region and promotion of fertility

is symbolized through water. As

mentioned before, Kidul is closely

connected to the water,

therefore, what is required from

the royal consort can be

construed as mystical,

exemplifying Kidul’s growing

mysticism

Therefore....

Nyai Roro Kidul was able to undergo a metamorphosis from a historical figure to a mystical

being because of the preexisting beliefs in her geographical area, the cultural use of symbolism, and

the role females assumed when ruling.

Cultural Relevance to This Day

Questions???