Pagesangan: The Ancient Kampong
Anugrah Yulianto Rachman | Peneliti Arek Institute
Pagesangan is an ancient village. Its existence has been recorded since the Majapahit era, as evidenced by the Canggu Trowulan 1 inscription. According to its cataloging, this inscription was found in the Trowulan area, Mojokerto. It was then read and translated by J.L.A. Brandes—a Dutch archaeologist (Pigeaud, 1960:137).
The Canggu inscription itself concerns the granting of sima by King Hayam Wuruk. This sima was given to riverside areas that had aided the accessibility of the Majapahit kingdom through ferrying (prakāraning naditira pradeça sthānaning anāmbangi) (Pigeaud, 1960:110). The inscription was written in 1280 Saka in the month of Shrãwaṇa (July-August)—which corresponds to 1358 A.D. (Pigeaud, 1960:108; 1960:138). Among the mentioned areas is gsang—now known as Pagesangan.
Gsang or di gsang (Read: Pagesangan) appears on the fifth plate’s back (verso) from lines 3 to 4. This inscription is written in a series of copper plates. It is carved in Old Javanese script (Kawi script) and formatted in a front-back (recto-verso) manner. Each part describes areas that played a significant role in ferrying or crossing (anambangi). In the English translation, Pigeaud refers to it as the Ferry Charter.
Several other areas mentioned in the Canggu inscription include: Sarba, Waringin-Pitu, Lagada, Pamotan, Tulangan, Panumbangan, Jeruk, Terung, Kembang-Shri, Teda, Gsang, Bukul, and Shurabhaya. Among the mentioned areas, Gsang is one of the influential ones. This means these areas had a role in ferrying. In this context, ferrying means river crossing.
Due to their roles, these areas were granted sima by Rãjasanegara (Hayam Wuruk). The sima made these areas independent or exempt from taxation by the Majapahit kingdom at that time. Furthermore, the river was the center of Majapahit civilization. This means that the port and river were a complete package of trade and transportation routes. Therefore, the granting of sima was a form of gratitude from the kingdom.
The legacy of crossing does not only stop in the Majapahit era. Physical evidence of ferrying can still be found. Boatmen still pull ropes that connect two riverbanks. They continue to help the community shorten distances and time. The work of the ferrymen shows an ancient job that is still preserved neatly in Pagesangan.
On one hand, the ferrying service is still widely used by many people. Its presence is indeed real evidence of the ancient existence of this village. Because, in the Canggu inscription, Pagesangan village is known for its ferrying service. On the other hand, traces of the village’s antiquity can also be seen from three shrines scattered throughout the village.
There are three graves believed by the Pagesangan residents to be shrines. However, now, only two shrines remain. Because one of the shrines has been affected by the density of settlements. The location of one of the shrines has been overtaken by a kindergarten building.
According to one of the Pagesangan residents, the shrines were originally in the form of paired graves. The community believes these graves were known as: mbah Gede, mbah Punosani, and mbah Zakaria. Unfortunately, these shrines cannot be historically traced. Because the tombstones of these shrines have been renovated.
However, at least, these shrines can be another piece of evidence of the village’s antiquity. Because the community believes that their presence dates back a long time. Furthermore, shrines are always associated with respected individuals or the local legends of a certain area. Although these shrines have not yet undergone serious tracking, now the residents of Pagesangan should be proud.
Because, the depiction of their village can now be seen through the Canggu Trowulan I inscription. Its existence has been recorded therein. Even this area also holds a long history about ferrying services. Based on the tracing from inscriptions, this can indeed help the residents of Pagesangan to determine their founding day. Because, according to residents, the founding day of Pagesangan is always celebrated with an earth alms ceremony based only on heroes’ day. They still do not have a strong reference regarding the founding day of their village.
Therefore, through the discovery of the name Gsang in the Canggu inscription, the Pagesangan community can celebrate their founding day based on historical and archaeological sources. This source further cements the image of this village as a cultural village—aside from actively having Ludruk art within it.
In short, the residents of Pagesangan village should be proud. Because they, as the bearers of its culture today, have a long history regarding their village. Its identity has been rooted since the Majapahit era through its ferrying service role (anambangi).
*This article initiative taken by the residents of Pagesangan, the Ludruk Warna Budaya Group, and T.P. Wijoyo from Begandring Surabaya. It is a part of a long discussion before heading to a cultural seminar in Pagesangan village.