Sexuality and Vulgar Sentences in the Centhini Fiber Script

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Centhini fiber is a Javanese literary book originally named Suluk Tembangraras. This book was written in Javanese language and writing in the form of a Macapat song by three poets from the Surakarta Kingdom, namely Ranggasutrasna, Yasadipura II, and R. Ng. Sastradipura.

The book, which was completed in 1823, consists of 4,000 pages, arranged in 12 volumes. The pages in Serat Centhini contain almost all the customs, traditions, legends, stories, mysticism and other knowledge that lived among the Javanese people in the 16-17 centuries.

The literature also discusses sexual relations prevailing at that time.

According to Elizabeth Inandiak, who has translated several pethilan Serat Centhini in French says the discussion about sex in Serat Centhini is about 10 to 20 percent of the entire book.

“Indeed, in the book of Centhini there are about 10 percent or 20 percent of all works that talk about sexual intercourse, so there are various characteristics, some are like animals, like slaves to lust, some are like animals. [melakukan seks] because of God,” said Elizabeth to CNNIndonesia.com, Monday (31/5).

This is also agreed by an expert on Javanese studies, Dewi Sundari who sees that the discussion of sex in Serat Centhini has a large portion in addition to other topics about Javanese life. This is because sex is an important part of the Javanese routine, so it needs to be written in Serat Centhini.

“When it comes to the Javanese view on sexuality in Serat Centhini, yes, at that time the Javanese considered sexuality to be part of their daily life and life. That insight is necessary and married couples also need learning materials,” Dewi said to CNNIndonesia.com, Wednesday (2/6).

This also encourages the poets of Serat Centhini in writing about topics or knowledge about sex to be made very vulgar and candid.

Vulgar Language in Centhini Fiber

Elizabeth Inandiak said the topic of sex or intercourse in Serat Centhini includes various things that are shown through the stories of several characters in it. The depiction of sex is also classified as vulgar and without using metaphors or parables.

This he once conveyed in a paper entitled From Erotica to Sir Centhini (2012). In the paper, Elizabeth said that Serat Centhini is often dubbed as an erotic and mystical literary work.

This eroticism is depicted through ‘wild’ sexual scenes such as that of Cebolang, one of the characters in Serat Centhini. He is a teenager who is flexible and has a beautiful appearance.

Cebolang often ignites the passions of women and men who are touched by it, even if it is not on purpose. He also realized his sins and decided to throw himself in even more despicable behaviors.

Cebolang also traveled with four of his friends who filled four volumes of Serat Centhini. In one part of the volume, Cebolang met with Adipati Daha while stopping in Ponorogo.

The Duke was carried away with lust to see the beauty of Cebolang’s face and asked him to have sex.

“One night, the Duke asked, ‘Which is more delicious, riding or being ridden? How does it differ?’“

“‘It’s more enjoyable to ride, there’s nothing like it,’ said Cebolang while explaining the pleasures of being embraced. And they changed positions.“

Not only that, the topic of body relations is also very clearly written by the three poets of the author of Serat Centhini as found in Song 42.

“Cebolang said, ‘What do you think, my brother? We might fall in love, but is that really dangerous? Come on, let’s enter them slowly in their sleep, the girl with yellow breasts is for you, I take the one with jet black teeth. We’ll swap later.‘”

Check out other sexual scripts in Serat Centhini on the next page..