Mysticism in the Local Stories ”Ngrandhu” and ”Sendang Mulya” (Niels Mulder’s Mysticism Perspective)

Abstract

Some local stories in Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta represented Javanese mysticism. Two of those local stories namely Ngrandhu and Sendang Mulya were selected to be analyzed in this article. Applying a literary anthropology approach to Niel Mulder’s mysticism, a proposed research question was: ”How is Javanese mysticism represented in Ngrandhu and Sendang Mulya local stories? This article aimed to describe Javanese mysticism reflection in local stories. The data were taken from interview sessions with resourceful people, then those data were analyzed using descriptive techniques and presented qualitatively. Based on the analysis, it was found that Javanese mysticism was reflected through material, spiritual and moral existences in the story. Material existence included the spring, the big kapok tree, offerings and a house, while spiritual existence took form in the process of bathing, preparing the offerings, and chopping down the tree as its rites. Moreover, moral existence appeared in the process of building the house and conserving the spring. Further study about local beliefs such as mysticism in different areas can be conducted more to gain a deeper understanding and broader acceptance of different cultures.