One Throne, Two Kings

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

IN Cirebon, an old city on the north coast of Java, four royal courts—Kanoman, Kacirebonan, Keprabonan, and Kasepuhan—survive to this day, remnants of a once-powerful kingdom founded by Sunan Gunung Jati Syarif Hidayatullah five centuries ago. Of the four courts, Kanoman has been the most unstable in the modern history of Cirebon. Following the death of Sultan Kanoman XI on November 18, 2002, his two sons Pangeran Raja Muhammad Emirudin and Pangeran Muhammad Saladin are embroiled in a bitter struggle for succession to the royal throne.

Ahead of the 4th Nusantara Court Festival in Yogyakarta at the end of this month, Tempo's Ali Anwar visited the Court of Kanoman to record the behind-the-scenes intrigue for the throne. Following is his report of the conflict, reminiscent of a similar quarrel that took place 130 years ago.

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SUDDENLY the gamelan is silent after 10 months resonating through the court in rehearsals. Gone are the penabuh, sitting cross-legged on the floor, playing a variety of gongs and tuned instruments, and the court dancers performing bedaya, pengalima and wayang characters to the sustained melody of the Javanese music. Last August should have been the month for a final rehearsal before the gamelan group from the Court of Kanoman in Cirebon, West Jav

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