Siliwangi

Siliwangi is the title of a legendary king of the Sunda Kingdom (Pajajaran) in western Java, Indonesia. The figure occupies a central place in Sundanese folklore and literature, and in some sources is identified with the historical ruler Sri Baduga Maharaja. The best-known narratives come from oral traditions such as the Wawacan Siliwangi, which portray him as a just and capable ruler who united and protected his people; however, the historicity of these accounts is uncertain and the stories blend myth with history. In the legends, the Sunda Kingdom’s capital is Pakuan Pajajaran, a city associated with the Bogor area in present-day West Java.

Legacy and usage: Siliwangi endures as a cultural symbol of West Java and the Sundanese people. The name has been adopted by various institutions and regional symbols, reflecting its association with leadership and regional identity. Notable uses include the Indonesian Army’s Kodam VI/Siliwangi, a West Java–based military command, as well as schools, cultural groups, and other organizations that bear the name Siliwangi.

See also: Sunda Kingdom, Pajajaran, Pakuan Pajajaran, Sri Baduga Maharaja.