The Exotic of Kotagede

The Exotic of Kotagede
Kotagede is an elder town in Yogyakarta. It is located in 10 km south east from Yogyakarta. Kotagede is one of tourism object in Yogyakarta. We can find many interestingly in there, especially the Javanese’s atmosphere. Kotagede is a heritage town that was very potential to prosperity the society in there. This town is famous with silver’s handicraft. Beside that, there is a Mataram Kingdom Grave in Kotagede. There is the grave of the first King of Mataram Kingdom. There are many others interestingly in Kotagede, it are :
 History
In 1549 this town story is beginning. Ki Ageng Pamanahan and his son Sutawijaya get a gift land from King of Pajang Kingdom Sultan Hadiwijaya or Jaka Tingkir because they were successful to killed Aryo Penangsang in a competition. Because the successfully to killed Aryo Penangsang, Sutawijaya also become adopted child of Sultan Hadiwijaya. Ki Ageng Pamanahan and Sutawijaya get a land in Mentaok jungle. They open the Mentaok Jungle and than build a village. That village becomes a development village in several years and becomes a Kotagede. But Kotagede is still under of Pajang Kingdom. In 1587, Kotagede gets a freedom from Pajang Kingdom and than becomes the capital town of Mataram Kingdom. Sutawijaya becomes the first King of Mataram Kingdom and changes his name become Panembahan Senopati. Mataram Kingdom becomes a great Kingdom in Java and success to conquer almost the all land in java except Banten and Batavia. After Panembahan Senapati passed away, he is buried in Kotagede with his family. Ki Ageng Pamanahan also was buried in Kotagede. And than that grave becomes the Mataram Kingdom Grave in Kotagede.
In Third period of Mataram Kingdom and the King is Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo, the capital town of Mataram Kingdom is moved to Karta in Plered southest fro Kotagede. After Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo passed away, Mataram Kingdom is decrease. From Gianti’s agreement in 1755, Mataram Kingdom becomes two parts, Kasunanan Surakarta and Kasultanan Yogyakarta. Although Mataram Kingdom was over, Kotagede is still respected because of the Mataram Kingdom Grave in there. Kasunanan Surakarta and Kasultanan Yogyakarta work together to take care it.
 Culture
The majority of Kotagede societies are Islam and they are known as hard workers. They are trading and make silver’s handicraft. They are known as Kalang’s people. In Mataram Kingdom era, Kalang’s people are Javanese rich people. We can find that greatest moment until now, from the silver’s handicraft. Because that, Kotagede is known as Silver’s handicraft town. This inheritance has many improvements. And now, silver’s handicraft from Kotagede is known in the world. We can order many kinds of silver’s handicraft like our wishes. Beside that we also can find the traditional Javanese situation in Kotagede, from the society daily life, traditional houses and traditional market.
 Religion
Kotagede is one of the holy places for Javanese people. Beside in a long times ago Kotagede is the capital town of Mataram kingdom, it more because the Mataram kingdom grave in there. That grave is believed gives the blessing. And there are many myths in there. The almost of Kotagede people are Islam, and they respect who was succeeded in spreading Islam. Mataram Kingdom is based on Islam religion. Mataram Kingdom also is known as Islamic Mataram Kingdom. The spreading of Islamic in Yogyakarta is begun from Kotagede. The people come in that grave is praying to God by this place to mediator.
 The Mataram Kingdom Grave Kotagede.
It is the grave of the king and king’s family of Mataram Kingdom. The location is 100 meters in the south from Kotagede market. It is took care by “abdi dalem”. The buildings of this place are designed the traditional Javanese culture. There are three parts of this place.
• Mosque
The map of this mosque is square 35,46 x 26,55 meters linear. It build in Panembahan Senapati era about 1575-1601 Masehi. The north side is border to society residence and in the south is border to Sendang Salirang. It was renovated in Sultan Agung era and Pakubuwana X era.
• Grave
There are three buildings in this place.
 Bangsal Prabayaksa
There are 72 grave in here. Among who were buried : Panembahan Senapati, Pangeran Seda Krapayak, Sultan sepuh, Pangeran Adipati Pakualam I, PA II, PA III, PA IV, and Ki Ageng Mangir. The special thing about Ki Ageng Mangir’s grave is half grave in the building and half other in out of building.
 Bangsal Witana
Ki Ageng Pamanahan and Ki Ageng Juru Mertani were buried in here.
 Bangsal Tajug
There are three graves in here, its are Nyai Ageng Nis, PAngeran Jayaprana, and atuk Palembang.
• Sendang
It is known as Sendang Selirang. It has two parts. Its are Sendang Kakung and Sendang Putri. Both of them have a different water source. Sendang Kakung’s source is from under of grave. In there live many fishes and in along time ago live a yellow turtles in Sendang Kakung. But the turtles was passed away and the grave of the turtles in above of Sendang Kakung. The name of the turtles is Kyai Duda Rejah. Sendang Putri’s source is from the big banyan-tree in front of The Mataram Kingdom Grave.

 Architecture
There are many historical buildings in Kotagede with the uniquely architecture as like Kalang’s house. Kalang’s house architecture is combination between Javanese culture and European culture. In the back of the house is Joglo for capital house and in the front of the house is European design. The European design is like a baroque, with the motive Corinthian and doriq. Beside that the traditional house is still stand though the building was old and need a renovation.



 Qulinary
There are many traditional foods that were the characteristic of Kotagede.
 Sate Karang
It is a food from flesh with bean sauce, lontong, and “lodeh”. Why is it name sate Karang, because it is sold in Karang’s square in Kotagede. It is only can find in Kotagede. The uniquely of it is, the consumers are sitting in the square with mat.
 Kipo
It is characteristic food of Kotagede. It is made from glutinous rice. There is a coconut scratch combine with Javanese sugar. The color is green and the shape like a thumb. It is reserved by covered with banana’s leaf and paper. The uniquely from this foods is the history of the name of Kipo. The people didn’t know what the name of this food. This food just let it flow without name. What is more the seller and the maker didn’t know. And than some people ask to the seller in Javanese language “iki opo?”. Because that, this food has name Kipo “iki opo”.
 Legomoro
Legomoro is characteristic snack from Kotagede. Usually it is reserved in wedding party. It is made from glutinous rice that is boiled with coconut milk up to half done and than is steamed up to done. It is reserved with covered with banana’s leaf. Before covered with banana’s leaf, it is contained with smoothly chicken. It was named Legomoro because in Javanese Language “sing lego sing do moro” who is satisfied is who was came.
 Ukel
Ukel is characteristic snack from Kotagede that has shape like number eight. The taste of ukel is sweet because there was white sugar in above it. And it is a soft snack.
 Yangko
Yangko is one of the characteristic traditional snacks from Kotagede. Its taste is sweet and it has shape square and many colors of it. The way to made it is with sugar and salt water are boiled and whipped up to thick. And than moved it in the flat place and let it be cool and cut it. And finally it is covered with paper or plastic.