This legend originates from Mangiran village, a region in Bantul Regency, south of Yogyakarta Municipality. According to the storyteller, back when the village was known as Kademangan Mangiran, there was a prominent figure named Ki Ageng Mangir Wonoboyo.
If we look at a map, we can see that Mangiran village borders Kota Gede, now famous for its silver crafts. At that time, Kota Gede was a newly established principality called Mataram. Before Mataram was founded, the area was known as the Mentaok Forest. This forest was granted to Ki Pemanahan, a war commander of the Pajang Kingdom, as a reward for killing Arya Penangsang, a rebellious duke who opposed Sultan Adiwijaya, the supreme ruler of Pajang. However, it was ultimately Sutawijaya who took control of Mataram because he was the one who successfully killed Penangsang using a powerful weapon, the Kiai Plered Spear. Sutawijaya later became known as Panembahan Senapati.
Ki Ageng Mangir Wonoboyo refused to submit to Panembahan Senapati because Mangiran, now part of Bantul Regency, was at that time a perdikan—a free land exempt from paying tribute. Therefore, Ki Ageng Mangir Wonoboyo had every right to refuse to pay taxes to Senapati.
According to the storyteller, Ki Ageng Mangir Wonoboyo possessed a simple knife—not too large, resembling a kitchen knife. However, it held extraordinary power. One day, a young, beautiful maiden named Sarinem came to the kademangan (village leader's residence) to borrow the knife. Ki Wonoboyo hesitated at first but eventually lent it to her after she explained that it was needed for the village purification ritual. He warned her to be cautious and instructed that the knife must never be placed on the lap of a virgin, especially one with an alluring figure. Sarinem agreed to the condition and left with the knife.
During the village purification ritual, the villagers gathered to prepare food and its wrappings, such as banana leaves and teak leaves. The elders sat together while the young maidens did the same, chatting and laughing as they worked. The conversation soon turned to young men in the village. Sarinem teased Wirati, claiming she was the most admired maiden among the young men, but Darijah countered that Sarinem was actually the center of attention. The other maidens supported Darijah's claim, recalling how visiting Mataram soldiers had been captivated by Sarinem's beauty. Embarrassed, Sarinem blushed deeply. Despite the cool air after the rain, she felt hot, her underarms damp with sweat. Overcome with a sudden rush of emotion, she unknowingly placed the sacred knife on her lap. In an instant, the knife vanished—it had mysteriously entered her body.
Realizing that she had lost Ki Ageng Mangir Wonoboyo’s sacred knife, Sarinem was overcome with fear. She imagined his wrath and grew paler until she fainted. The other maidens quickly came to her aid, and soon the entire village learned of the incident. Sarinem’s father, Ki Tali Wangsa, rushed to inform Ki Ageng Mangir Wonoboyo. Surprisingly, instead of getting angry, Ki Wonoboyo smiled upon hearing the news. He assured Ki Tali Wangsa that there was no need to worry and that he would resolve the matter. His solution? He declared that Sarinem was now pregnant, and to prevent disgrace—since she was still unmarried—he would marry her. Thus, the village purification ceremony also became their wedding celebration.
Several days after the ceremony, Ki Ageng told Sarinem that he would leave for meditation. In his absence, Ki Jagabaya was appointed to oversee village security, while Ki Tali Wangsa, Ki Jaran Tirta, and others were to remain in the kademangan until his return.
Nine months after the mysterious event, Sarinem went into labor. On a silent night, under the full moon’s silver glow, a loud rumbling sound filled the air as she gave birth—not to a human baby, but to a serpent. The entire village was in shock. Fear gripped the people, and Ki Tali Wangsa was devastated. How could he have a grandson in the form of a serpent? He wondered what sin he had committed to deserve such a punishment from the gods. However, Sarinem remained calm. She lovingly embraced the serpent as any mother would her child. Soon, the creature cried for food, devouring a chicken, several fish, and raw eggs with great appetite.
One evening, Sarinem appeared sorrowful. When her serpent child asked why, she confessed that she deeply missed Ki Wonoboyo. She then revealed the truth about his father. Upon hearing the story, the serpent expressed his desire to find his father and pay his respects. Initially, Sarinem was hesitant, but after persistent pleading, she relented. She insisted, however, that he must have a name before departing and should always be cautious during his journey. That night, she named him Baru Kelinting. Eager to meet his father, Baru Kelinting immediately set off for Kali Progo.
Upon reaching the riverbank, Baru Kelinting plunged into the water, transforming into a massive dragon with eyes like blazing suns, golden scales, razor-sharp fangs, and towering horns. Letting out an earth-shaking roar, he terrified the villagers. Roofs creaked and fell, and trees trembled. In his insatiable hunger, Baru Kelinting devoured two boatmen who ferried traders across the Kali Progo to Mataram. At that time, Mataram was growing into a bustling trading hub, making river transport essential. This meant that Baru Kelinting had easy access to prey.
News of the monstrous serpent spread rapidly, filling the people with dread. Even Ki Ageng Mangir Wonoboyo heard the rumors. He suspected that Baru Kelinting was none other than the child Sarinem had borne—the transformation of the sacred knife that had entered her womb. If this were true, then Baru Kelinting was his own son. However, with his rampage causing havoc and bloodshed, the people of Mataram and even Pajang would soon take action. If Ki Wonoboyo did nothing, he too would be hunted and accused of leading a rebellion.
One night, Ki Ageng left his meditation cave on the slopes of Mount Merapi and journeyed south along the Kali Progo. After seven days and nights, he finally encountered Baru Kelinting. The dragon was startled by this calm, unassuming man whose words carried an inexplicable power. Though starving, Baru Kelinting held back his hunger, unable to resist Ki Wonoboyo’s piercing gaze. The night breeze whispered the truth—the man before him was his father. Baru Kelinting bowed in respect, but Ki Wonoboyo refused his gesture. Instead, he declared that Baru Kelinting had brought destruction and failed as a son of a peace-seeking leader. To prove his devotion, Baru Kelinting had to redeem himself by encircling Mount Merapi with his body. Only if his tail touched his snout would Ki Wonoboyo acknowledge him.
The test began. Baru Kelinting stretched his body around the mountain, but as he neared completion, he realized he would have to overextend himself, risking his life. Desperate, he stuck out his tongue. At that moment, Ki Wonoboyo struck with his sacred hand. Baru Kelinting screamed as his tongue was severed, transforming into the tip of a spear. His head, body, and tail turned into a sturdy wooden shaft. Ki Wonoboyo gathered the pieces and assembled them into a powerful weapon—the Baru Kelinting Spear, said to rival the might of the Kiai Plered Spear in Mataram.
As Ki Wonoboyo carried the spear home, a soft breeze carried a voice: “I will always be loyal to you.” It was Baru Kelinting, now a guardian spirit of the kademangan. As for Sarinem, she initially grieved, but in time, she found peace. She was later honored as Nyi Ageng Mangir Wonoboyo, a mother figure who cared for the entire village.
