Si Kabayan's Research

The research was conducted to look for evidence of the existence of Si Kabayan. Based on the Sutaarga record (1965), there are some opinions or studies that have been conducted by both the Dutch and Indonesian. The first people who are undertaking research is Mrs. Maria Coster Wijsman in 1929 that compared the presence of Si Kabayan with prominent European folklore, Tijl Uilenspiegel.

Wijsman interpret Si Kabayan as a sort of village officials in charge of delivering the news. The term is still used in Java and Tanganan Pangringsingan. It also connects the term with ordinary people who lead the festivity in the Malay characters.

Prof. Berg examines the meaning of Si Kabayan based on etymology. According to Berg, Kabayan word derived from Sanskrit, which means the village official lighting parts. This is consistent with the picture Kabayan Tanganan version Pangrisingan should possess "magical". Second, the term Kabayan bay taken from the word meaning woman. Where it matches the name Ken Bayan in Panji stories.

Rassers (1941) assess the Si Kabayan is an ambivalent figure. Aside from being a liaison and herald of God, he was also considered as a figure who represents the totality and the strength of the communities that are building but also an obstacle. In the self-Si Kabayan there is divinity and demonic manifests into one. Therefore, Rassers regarded Si Kabayan as a cultural hero once fraudsters.

Held (1951), Compared Si Kabayan with Panakawan from Javanese puppet plays in particular in terms of function jokes. Utuy T. Sontani (1920-1979) participated researching of Si Kabayan. The author in 1957 revealed that Si Kabayan is a "Man who did not mind doing anything by anything". Si Kabayan has been transformed into a man who in spite of a variety of flavors that can affect humans. He has become Ubermensch, Nietzsche's terms. However, in the text of his play Utuy describe Si Kabayan shamans are considered sacred, and he is just toying with patients.

Ajip Rosidi (1964) argues that behind the story of Si Kabayan contained a specific purpose. According Ajip, Si Kabayan was not a fool, because I have many stories Si Kabayan is often playing his father in law and Kiai. The Kiai could be the personification of the clergy, while the Si Kabayan is the personification of the Sundanese. And Islam in the country after the collapse of the Sunda kingdom. The writer who created the Sunda story, Si Kabayan, has actually been criticized by the subtle form of jokes.

In a seminar titled "Sex, Text, Context: Body and Sexuality in Local and Global Discourse" on 23-24 April 2004, through a paper entitled "Si Kabayan: Cawokah or Jorang?", Ayatrohaedi focuses attention on the stories Si Kabayan that contain sex. Based on Maria-Coster Wijsman book, Tijl Uilenspiegel verhalen in Indonesie in het in de Soendalande Bizonder were indeed many stories containing sex in Si Kabayan.

From 80 stories were used as material Si Kabayan in Coster-Wijsman dissertation, there are 24 stories containing sex. Stories that contain the word taboo, although once again it did not give the impression of erotic. If it is associated with the text and context, will easily understand why it happened.

Jakob Sumardjo (2003) assess the Si Kabayan from the primordial aspect of the Sundanese. He considered that the Si Kabayan paradoxical character, smart and stupid at the same time. It was a smart if its own interests compromised, but he was stupid when he was overpowered by its appetites. This shows the fairness of the Sundanese people to laugh at himself, weakness, and general human weakness. In Sundanese people gather, there is laughter. Apparently humor is also related to problems in. Humor targets are those that are already included as part of the environment itself.

Bambang Q Anees (2002) found Si Kabayan is a fictional character created as an entertainer, nor the courier life philosophy of the Sundanese. Si Kabayan as courier serves as a metaphor: while reducing convey the message.

According to Bambang, laughing, which became the core of the figure of Si Kabayan. Then he united Si Kabayan with the concept of enlightenment ala Tao. From this side, laughing meant as a joke invention of understanding will be so fast. At that time we like finding the truth chains that had been detached. At this point, Kabayan played himself as an angler laugh for the sake of a certain enlightenment.

Whatever people feel about an idea and figure of Si Kabayan, the stories reflect the Sundanese cultural treasure that is rich in color. Below is a tale of Si Kabayan:

Visited Si Kabayan's Houses

One day, Si Kabayan's old friend came to visit Si Kabayan's home. They talked very excited because they were not seen each other in a long time, and they talked seemed to lose track of time. When the time comes to eat, Si Kabayan go to a fish pond to catch the fish, which will be served to his friend. After Si Kabayan go to the fish pond, Nyi Iteung, Si Kabayan's wife, approached his friend and she said:

"Do you know the behavior of Si Kabayan today?"
"Not yet, how is he now?" Si Kabayan's friend asked.
Nyi Iteung replied "If you do not know, now Si Kabayan behavior change, since he had illness."

Si Kabayan's friend more curious "How is his behavior now?"
"Every guest who lingered in this house, he will beat them use Halu (bat), even though it was his own friend." Answer Nyi Iteung.
His friend then replied "Oh, so now that is his behavior". Soon his friend said farewell because he fears of Si Kabayan.
"Well, do not stop walking, perhaps Si Kabayan will come after you." Answer Nyi Iteung.

Nyi Iteung then clean the house, Si Kabayan come home and brought a big fish, with the intention to serve his friend. Seeing his friend was not at home,

Si Kabayan then asked Nyi Iteung "Iteung where is my friend?"
"Oh, he was gone while you at the pond, I asked him to wait for Kang Kabayan, and he asked for something," replied Nyi Iteung.
"Demand what?" Replied Si Kabayan.
"He asked for a Halu, I didn't give it, because we only had one Halu." Answer Nyi Iteung.
"Why didn't you give him, its only a Halu, give it to me. Where is the Halu? give it to me, I will go after my friend and give it to him!!. "replied Si Kabayan.

Si Kabayan then ran after his friend while holding a Halu, in order to be seen by his friends, also shouting his name, "Ki Sobat, this is a Halu for you, I'd like you to have it as a souvenir... !!!."

His friend was surprised to see Si Kabayan ran after him while holding a Halu, he then sprints, for fear of Si Kabayan will beat him.

- The end -