Tonja is a village located in the district of North Denpasar, within the city of Denpasar. The history of Desa Tonja is detailed in Babad Dalem Batu Ireng and explained in Ilikita Desa Adat Tonja, which states that in the year Saka 1250 (circa 1328 AD), Bali was ruled by a king named Dalem Batu Ireng, later known by the title Raja Sri Astasura Ratna Bhumi Banten. He had renowned ministers such as Ki Pasung Grigis, Ki Buahan, Ki Tunjung Tutur, Ki Kalung Singkal, and Ki Gudung Basur, among others. Raja Sri Astasura Ratna Bhumi Banten refused to submit to the Majapahit Kingdom, prompting the Majapahit ruler to send Patih Gajah Mada to Bali in order to subdue the island.
This conquest led Raja Sri Astasura Ratna Bhumi Banten, also known as Dalem Batu Ireng, to flee to several areas, including Taro, Gegel, Baturyang (Batuyang), Batu Sasih (Batubulan), Bukut Kali, Batu Belig Kalanggendis, and Taman Yang Batu. Throughout his journey, he sought refuge with Pasek Bendesa, Pande, and other local villagers. While in hiding, Dalem Batu Ireng disguised himself as a commoner and eventually met I Gusti Ngurah Bongaya at the crossroads of Desa Pagan, where a yadnya ceremony was about to take place. Out of curiosity, Dalem Batu Ireng stopped by Pura Desa Adat Pagan to observe the ceremony.
Knowing that he was not of good appearance, Dalem Batu Ireng stayed only in the middle courtyard (jaba tengah) of the temple. His presence was noticed by the temple herald (juru canang), who, upon seeing Dalem Batu Ireng's disheveled and dirty appearance, was shocked by his unpleasant features. The juru canang, frightened, screamed "Tonya," considering him a disturbance to the ongoing ceremony. As a result, Dalem Batu Ireng was labeled "Tonya" and was driven away by I Gusti Ngurah Bongaya and other villagers. Angered by this, Dalem Batu Ireng cursed I Gusti Ngurah Bongaya, saying that the village would become tas-tas (split or fractured), leading to conflicts and severed relationships among the villagers, particularly those north of the village temple (Pura Desa). As Dalem Batu Ireng traveled north after being expelled, he tripped over a stone in the Ajungut-jungut area, which is now known as Banjar Tega. He blessed the stone to become "Bhumi Tonjaya."
From this story, we can understand that the name "Tonja" originates from the word ketonjok (from ke + tonjok, meaning "to trip"). The transformation from tonjok to "Tonja" symbolizes the event where Dalem Batu Ireng tripped over a stone, and over time, the name became known as Tonja.
Leave A Comment