Tenggerese of Mt Bromo is known for its outstanding magnetism as they maintain tradition, custome and culture as their life guidance. IN 1990, Tenggerese was recorded having 50.000 inhabitant dwelling on the slope of Mt Semeru and aroung Tengger Kaldera. The are respected by the vicinity community, as humble, honest and hard worker ethnic group. According to local legend, Tenggerese is the offspring of Roro Anteng and Joko Seger (Majapahit Princess) and Joko Seger (A Brahman Son). Tenggerese speak old Javanese language, the dont recognize caste in language, and different than general Javanese language that has class of language. Since Majapahit Era, the region is already known as a sacred place. Until today they still adhere Hindu and once a year they hold Kasada Ritual.
Kasada ritual takes place in a temple located on the sea of Sand, Bromo Caldera. And then proceed to ascend Mt Bromo. This ritual performed midnight, every full moon of in Kasada Month in Javanese Calendar. The temple is Pura Luhur Poten Gunung Bromo.
Kasada history started few centuries ago. When King Brawijaya of Majapahit reigned, the queen had a daughter Roro Anteng that finally fell in love with a Brahman son, Joko Seger. After the advance of Islam, Majapahit people moved eastward, including Roro Anteng and Joko Seger.
After few years of marriage, they did not have children, that led them to meditate on top of Mt Bromo. Finally their prayer granted by a ysterious voice, under one condition, that they should sacrifice their youngest son to the crater of Bromo. The had 25 children, but they could not sacrifice their youngest child, that the God got angry. The crater took Raden Kusuma, the youngest child, and after that there was a sound of Raden Kusuma, that his family and people of Tengger should put offering on Kasada annualy.
To see Kasada Ritual better arrive before midnight, for the dukun preparation. In this ritual, also there is a Dukun inauguration. Several days before the ritual, Tenggerese prepare the offering that they will put down to Bromo Crater. The offering is composed in an ongkek ongkek. On the 14 of Kasada Month, they all flock with their crops and livestock first to the Temple. AT the temple Dukun sepuh to pray with old spell, and midnight, the dukun inauguration is done and then blessing the adherents. For Tenggerese, dukun role is very important, as dukun also lead wedding and other rituals in Tengger. Before Dukun pass the test, they should memorize spells or mantra.
After the ritual finished, ongkek-ongkek contained offering will be taken to Mt Bromo and then thrown to the crater, as the symbol of the anchestor scarification. This is also the symbol of gratefulness for God for the land fertility and crops. Beggars from the hinterland go down to the crater to get the offerings.