In the 1350s, as the sun swept across the majestic Majapahit palace, a baby boy was born in a small village not far from the royal capital. His name was Sengkala, who would later become a witness and weaponsmith during a period of turmoil that shook the archipelago. Born in the midst of a golden age under the reign of King Hayam Wuruk, he grew up in the shadow of the greatest empire that had ever ruled over a vast territory.
Majapahit was at the height of its glory at that time. King Hayam Wuruk ruled with the strong support of Mahapatih Gajah Mada, who vowed not to enjoy palapa until the archipelago was united under one crown. Their territory stretched from the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, to Nusa Tenggara and even reached Tumasik and several islands in the Philippines. The city of Trowulan, the capital of the kingdom, stood majestically with an organized system of government, a lively market trading in spices, gold, and silk, and magnificent temples that symbolized cultural and spiritual grandeur.
The Sengkala family was part of the common people, not nobility, but their lives encompassed a simple yet profound story. His father was a blacksmith who taught Sengkala from an early age how to forge iron and metal into strong and sharp tools. His mother took care of the house and taught him the values of loyalty and hard work. In a village environment that was still closely tied to Hindu-Buddhist beliefs and ancestral traditions, Sengkala grew up with a sense of respect for nature and the power of the gods.
From an early age, Sengkala observed a life filled not only with prosperity, but also with subtle political tensions. The nobles sometimes whispered about small rebellions outside the central region, and Prime Minister Gajah Mada often held secret meetings to prepare military expeditions to unite the small kingdoms that were still rebelling.
With his talents beginning to shine, Sengkala often helped his father make simple tools, but his eyes were also drawn to keris and spears—weapons that symbolized the power and honor of royal soldiers. He did not expect that one day, his skilled hands would become part of a bloody story that was not written in official history.
However, Sengkala's childhood was a time when Majapahit stood strong, a giant kingdom that spread peace and power, with a rapidly developing culture, arts, and metallurgical technology. This is where the journey of a little boy began, who would see how that glory turned into a destructive rage.
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Sengkala was born into a family of blacksmiths whose tradition had been passed down from generation to generation, crafting heirlooms and weapons for the Majapahit kingdom. His father, Mpu Wira, was a renowned master craftsman who was respected by the village and the palace. From an early age, Sengkala had lived with the constant sound of hammers, the smell of iron and charcoal mingling with the air in his home. Their family consisted of several members who devoted their lives to the art of forging—continuing a legacy of expertise that was more than just a job, but a sacred art and ritual.
During the heyday of the Majapahit Empire, empus like Sengkala's family were not just ordinary blacksmiths. They were believed to possess spiritual powers and secret knowledge that could imbue keris and spears with magical properties. Behind the doors of their workshop, ancient prayers and ascetic practices were part of the process of making weapons that were more than just metal—they became heirlooms imbued with power. With great respect, Sengkala's father taught him that every keris forged must not only be strong and sharp, but also contain a spirit that protects its owner.
However, they lived far from the luxury of the palace. Mpu Wira and his family lived a simple life, full of hard work and discipline. They knew that their role was very important in maintaining the power of the kingdom behind the scenes. Every weapon they made became part of the history that would determine the fate of the vast kingdom.
In addition, close family ties brought Sengkala to the values of loyalty and sacrifice. His mother and siblings supported his every step, even though they were sometimes worried about the dangers of his job as a master craftsman, which involved not only fire and metal, but also the intrigue and political conflicts that raged around Majapahit. Sengkala's family became his inner strength as he began to learn the true meaning of loyalty and betrayal in a world that was about to change.
His childhood, filled with the sound of hammers and sparks of fire, shaped the foundation of Sengkala's soul—a small man in a giant kingdom who would later witness the turmoil of the times behind the golden glamour of Majapahit.
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Sengkala's parents chose that name with deep meaning and hope, even though it contained power and significance that in Javanese tradition is called "sengkala." In Javanese culture, 'sengkala'u is a series of words that have meaning and also serve as markers of time containing important numbers, used to remember major events in history.
The name Sengkala is not just an ordinary name. His parents believed that the name would serve as a reminder of every dangerous and honorable step in life. In Javanese language and tradition, sengkala often functions as a 'chronogram' that marks important periods. The meaning of the word sengkala itself is closely related to the future, history, and omens, which in historical stories are known as symbols of change, such as "Sirna Ilang Kertaning Bumi" which marks the fall of Majapahit.
Sengkala's father, Mpu Wira, hoped that his son would bring balance amid the coming waves of change—becoming a witness and a small warrior capable of delivering messages through his weapons and life story. They believed that the name Sengkala was a destiny that must be lived with patience, fortitude, and courage.
The Sengkala family had a simple pedigree but was rich in values and traditions. Mpu Wira comes from a line of empu-empuyan who have served the kingdom for several generations. They are not nobles, but are respected for their special skills, which were given to them by Rajendra, their ancestor who brought the art of forging from the interior. Mpu Wira and his wife, Dewi Laras, teach their children the importance of honesty, loyalty, and hard work.
The family had several children, with Sengkala as the eldest son who was prepared to continue the tradition of forging heirlooms. His younger siblings learned to process other materials for household tools and village needs. Although they lived a simple life, they were bound together by spiritual ties and prayers that their skills and courage would become a legacy greater than just iron and metal.
The family lineage and the meaning of the name Sengkala form the basis of a strong and valuable spirit, which will later be tested by events and choices that shake Majapahit in the turmoil of history that has not been revealed in official records.
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In the daily life of the Sengkala family, the tradition of iron forging is not just a job, but an art and ritual that is respected in Majapahit society. Under the shadow of the kingdom's glory, blacksmiths such as the Sengkala family underwent a process that was closely tied to ancient beliefs and customs.
Every morning, before starting to forge weapons, the Sengkala family performs a small ceremony—burning incense and offering prayers to the spirits of their ancestors and the gods so that the forged iron will be strong, sharp, and bring luck and protection to the owner of the weapon. Sengkala's father, Mpu Wira, patiently taught his son that forging is not only about physical strength, but also inner refinement, patience, and intense concentration. The fire that burns the metal is also considered a symbol of spiritual testing.
In their workshop, where Sengkala had been learning since childhood, there were various types of iron tools and equipment—from kitchen knives and axes to intricately carved keris, which were symbols of the honor and courage of the Majapahit knights. The keris was not only a sharp weapon, but also a sacred heirloom, imbued with supernatural powers that gave courage or protected its owner.
Blacksmiths were respected as a special class, even though they were sometimes considered low in the caste system. However, the Majapahit kingdom guaranteed their welfare and protection because of their vital role in weaponry and the continuity of the kingdom's power. They were the guardians of the king's power behind the scenes, where every strike of their hammer influenced the state of the kingdom.
Sengkala grew up in a balance between technical skill and spiritual understanding. He learned that facing metal and fire was like facing life itself—full of challenges, requiring determination and conviction. Traditions like this strengthened his family bonds and fostered a great sense of responsibility, preparing him to become the heir to a noble craft in the midst of turbulent times.
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That night, the sky above Trowulan was lit up by thousands of stars and lanterns decorating the Majapahit palace. The palace was filled with grandeur, with the soft sound of gamelan music echoing behind the sturdy red stone walls. The nobles and high-ranking officials of the kingdom gathered in the main hall, while in the most comfortable room in the northern part of the palace, Dewi Laras, the wife of Mpu Wira, was struggling to give birth to their first child.
In a room filled with incense and jasmine flowers, support and prayers flowed from the elders who were present, accompanying the birth of a baby who was considered to bring new hope to the family of blacksmiths who were secretly the backbone of the kingdom. The sound of hammers and metal being forged from a distant workshop mingled with the faint cries of the baby.
When the baby was born, the elders carefully observed his signs and predicted his fate based on ancestral traditions. Sengkala's arrival was greeted not only with family joy, but also with prayers and hopes that he would become a strong, resilient person, capable of bringing glory and blessings to his family and this magnificent kingdom.
The uniqueness of Sengkala's birth was also marked by stories of a shooting star in the night sky, which was considered a sign that the times would change drastically. The royal shamans whispered that this baby would one day bear witness to and record the dark times that would follow the glory.
Meanwhile, inside the palace, the wise King Hayam Wuruk was facing pressure from various small kingdoms and threats within the palace itself. The drumbeats of war began to sound faintly, signaling a new world on the verge of change. However, that night was a night full of hope—a birth in the shadow of the strongest kingdom, which was also prone to collapse.
It was in this atmosphere of happiness and hope that Mpu Sengkala began his journey through life, walking between grandeur and intrigue, accompanied by the echoes of history that would bring about a devastating storm.