ANDE ANDE LUMUT

Once upon a time, in an area of East Java, there were two great kingdoms: the Kingdom of Jenggala, ruled by King Jayanegara, and the Kingdom of Kediri, governed by King Jayengrana. It is said that these two kingdoms were once united under a grand kingdom called Kahuripan. However, after King Jayanegara passed away, he left a message for the two kingdoms to reunite. To fulfill this wish, the kingdom’s leaders decided to marry Prince Raden Panji Asmarabangun from Jenggala to Princess Dewi Sekartaji from Kediri.

However, the plan to unite the two kingdoms faced opposition from Princess Sekartaji's stepmother. She preferred her own daughter, Intan Sari, to marry Raden Panji. To achieve her ambition, the stepmother ordered someone to kidnap and hide Princess Sekartaji along with her biological mother, Dewi Candrawulan.

When Raden Panji arrived at the Kingdom of Kediri to meet his bride-to-be, he was disappointed to find that Princess Sekartaji was not there. He rejected the proposal of Intan Sari, the stepmother’s daughter, who wished to take Sekartaji’s place.

Raden Panji firmly said, “I came only for Princess Sekartaji. If she is not here, I will not marry anyone from this kingdom.”

Feeling offended, Intan Sari tried to persuade him, “Lord Panji, can’t we proceed with the union of our kingdoms without Princess Sekartaji? I too am worthy of being your companion.”

But Raden Panji sternly replied, “No! My heart belongs only to Princess Sekartaji.”

Disappointed, Raden Panji decided to search for Princess Sekartaji on his own. He disguised himself under the name Ande Ande Lumut and began his search.

One day, during his journey, Ande Ande Lumut encountered an old woman named Mbok Randa who was struggling to carry her harvest.

Ande Ande Lumut gently said, “Grandma, let me help carry this harvest. You look tired.”

Mbok Randa smiled and replied, “Thank you, my child. You are very kind.”

After helping her, Ande Ande Lumut was adopted by Mbok Randa. They lived together, and Ande Ande Lumut became famous for his good looks. Knowing this, Ande Ande Lumut asked Mbok Randa to announce that he was searching for a wife.

Ande Ande Lumut requested, “Mother, please inform the villagers that I am looking for a wife. I hope to find a good and faithful woman.”

Mbok Randa nodded and said, “Alright, my child. I will let them know.”

Many village girls were interested, but none could replace Princess Sekartaji in his heart.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Princess Sekartaji and her mother, Dewi Candrawulan, managed to escape from the stepmother's captivity. They sent a message through a pigeon to inform others of their situation.

Princess Sekartaji whispered to the pigeon, “Please tell whoever finds you that we are still alive and on our way to find Prince Panji.”

The message eventually reached the palace, causing Sekartaji’s stepmother and Intan Sari to flee. However, Raden Panji had already embarked on his quest to find Princess Sekartaji. Thus, Princess Sekartaji decided to search for the prince herself.

During her journey, Princess Sekartaji met a widow who had three daughters named Kleting Merah, Kleting Biru, and Kleting Ijo. The widow adopted her and named her Kleting Kuning.

The widow said, “From now on, you will be my child. I will call you Kleting Kuning.”

Princess Sekartaji nodded and replied, “Thank you, Mother. I will help you with all my strength.”

News of a handsome young man searching for a wife in a neighboring village also reached Princess Sekartaji’s adopted family. The widow then sent her three daughters to propose to Ande Ande Lumut.

The widow ordered, “Kleting Merah, Kleting Biru, Kleting Ijo, go and meet Ande Ande Lumut. Don’t return until you’ve won him.”

Because she had to finish her chores, Kleting Kuning could not accompany her three sisters.

Kleting Kuning said, “I will follow you after I finish my work. Wish me luck, sisters.”

The three Kleting sisters finally arrived at the riverbank, but there was no boat to cross. They then asked for help from Yuyu Kangkang, a giant crab.

Yuyu Kangkang cunningly said, “I can help you cross, but you must let me kiss you.”

Having no other choice, the three agreed. After successfully crossing, they approached Ande Ande Lumut. However, Ande Ande Lumut rejected them because they had allowed themselves to be kissed by Yuyu Kangkang.

Ande Ande Lumut firmly said, “I will not marry a woman who so easily gives away her honor.”

Meanwhile, Kleting Kuning, having finished her chores, quickly followed her sisters. She also sought help from Yuyu Kangkang to cross the river. However, Kleting Kuning was cleverer. After crossing the river, she smeared chicken dung on her cheek, making Yuyu Kangkang disgusted and unwilling to kiss her.

Yuyu Kangkang grumbled, “What are you doing, cunning girl! Get away from me! I don’t want to kiss you!”

Upon arriving at Mbok Randa’s home, Ande Ande Lumut finally reunited with Princess Sekartaji.

With great joy, Ande Ande Lumut said, “Finally, we meet again, Sekartaji.”

Princess Sekartaji smiled and replied, “Yes, my Prince. Now we can be together again.”

With great happiness, the two returned to their kingdoms to reunite the Kingdom of Jenggala and the Kingdom of Kediri, as per King Jayanegara’s last wish. Their union brought peace and happiness to both kingdoms.