JP\/5\/MERAPI<\/p>\n
Wary residents make offerings to Merapi volcano<\/p>\n
Tarko Sudiarno
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Residents living on the slopes of Mount Merapi, located on the
\nborder of Yogyakarta and Central Java, have stepped up their
\nvigilance following rumors that eruptions are imminent, despite
\nits status still being determined as \"active, but normal\".<\/p>\n
Over the past few days, residents living near the volcano have
\nprepared offerings, a tradition believed to be able to prevent
\neruptions.<\/p>\n
Those living on the southern slopes around the Pakem, Turi,
\nand Cangkringan districts in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, have
\nbeen preparing sayur lodeh, or vegetables cooked in coconut
\nmilk, as offerings. Those living on the western slopes around
\nMagelang regency, Central Java, have been placing janur kuning,
\nor young coconut leaves and small red and white flags over their
\nfront doors.<\/p>\n
\"We simply have to believe in it. My wife has prepared a sayur
\nbobor offering just like the other neighbors have,\" said Slamet,
\na resident of Wonorejo, Pakem.<\/p>\n
Mbah Prawiro, a villager in Senggi, Magelang, confirmed that
\nresidents were being required to place a piece of young coconut
\nleaf and a small red and white flag over their doors as a sign of
\nprotection.<\/p>\n
\"We received a message from the ancestor spirits of Merapi to
\nplace the signs to protect us from nature's wrath. We got the
\nmessage from Mbah Petruk, the guardian spirit of Mount Merapi,
\nwhose spirit entered into the body of a gangsir ngentir (spinning
\ntop) player some time ago,\" said Mbah Prawiro.<\/p>\n
Residents living on the western slopes of Mount Merapi have a
\nparticular tradition of using spinning tops to predict danger of
\na possible eruption, a tradition that they inherited from their
\nforebears.<\/p>\n
A spinning top player goes into a trance and is possessed by
\nthe spirit of Mbah Petruk. \"We believe we will be protected by
\nMbah Petruk,\" said Mbah Prawiro.<\/p>\n
Rumor has it that the kraton (palace) of Yogyakarta has
\nrequested residents to prepare special offerings to ward off a
\npossible disaster.<\/p>\n
However, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, consort of Sri Sultan
\nHamengku Buwono X, ruler of Yogyakarta, denied that the palace
\nhad issued such a request.<\/p>\n
\"We have never issued such a request to residents, but we have
\nno complaints about them performing the rites as they believe
\nthat this will protect them from the dangers of Mount Merapi,\"
\nshe told The Jakarta Post recently.<\/p>\n
Ratu Hemas added that she could understand people's anxiety
\nbecause they lived in a traditional community that still believed
\nin the signs of nature.<\/p>\n
She said that certain people possessing a sixth sense can
\nperhaps feel the signals of nature and persuade people to be on
\nguard against the threat of an eruption.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, head of the Mount Merapi Volcanology Office,
\nSubandriyo, said that the status of the volcano was still \"active
\nbut normal\". Data derived from observation posts indicated that
\nthe volcano was not showing signs of significant volcanic
\nactivity.<\/p>\n
Regarding the activities of residents sacrificing offerings to
\nprotect themselves from danger, he felt that this was reasonable
\nand that it should be viewed in a positive way. Residents would
\nbe responsive and always remain on alert for the possibility of
\nan eruption.<\/p>\n
Statistical data indicates that Mount Merapi will be active
\nthis year. It usually show signs of increased activity every two
\nto three years, with the last period of major activity being in
\nAugust, 2002.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5merapi-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}