Tabloids delve into mysticism, mystery<\/p>\n
By Putu Wirata<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Do you believe in mysticism? Like it or
\nnot, mysticism and mysterious tales are now packaged in
\nattractive stories by a number of tabloids published in Bali to
\ndelight the province's \"mystic\" lovers.<\/p>\n
The tabloid Baliaga is just such an example. Every week, this
\ntabloid appears with frightening covers portraying Rangda, Leak,
\nDedemit, or other scary creatures who live in the memories of
\nmany Balinese.<\/p>\n
To reach its virtual readers, the tabloid has established its
\nown website at http:\/\/www.baliaga.com\/.<\/p>\n
Baliaga widely covers various mystical topics. It also
\nencourages people to share their experiences and stories.<\/p>\n
In addition to Baliaga, there are several other publications
\nincluding Taksu and Nusa Tenggara dailies which also expose the
\npsychic and mystical world.<\/p>\n
Nusa Tenggara has a special column for stories on local
\nshamans and traditional healers who carry out unique and peculiar
\npractices. The daily has assigned one of its talented
\njournalists, Made Rai Sulastra, to conduct a series of
\ninvestigative reports on shamans in villages on the island.<\/p>\n
\"I've been traveling throughout the island to look for odd
\nhappenings,\" said Rai Sulastra.<\/p>\n
He once wrote about a traditional healer who usually swallows
\ninsecticide before attempting to heal his patients.<\/p>\n
\"I brought a bottle of Baygon (liquid insecticide). I asked
\nhim to cure my diabetes by surgery,\" Rai Sulastra recalled.<\/p>\n
The journalist underwent a surgery without anesthesia. The
\nshaman cut his belly with the help of a knife and a scissors and
\ntook a piece of meat out of his belly. After the surgery was
\ncompleted, this traditional healer swallowed some Baygon.<\/p>\n
\"I really believed it was the power of God. How could he stay
\nhealthy and safe after drinking liters of Baygon?\" Rai Sulastra
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In the freedom of the press era, any businessman can publish a
\nnewspaper or other publications without having to obtain permits
\nfrom the government.<\/p>\n
A lot of media entrepreneurs take this opportunity by
\npublishing mystical tabloids with around 50 percent to 60 percent
\nof its contents on mysterious and frightening stories, while the
\nrest of its contents on erotic articles adorned with sensuous and
\nprovocative pictures.<\/p>\n
\"Low-income people as well as those \"bapak-bapak\" (executives)
\nwearing glossy ties buy these kinds of tabloids,\" said a
\nnewspaper vendor at a kiosk in Denpasar.<\/p>\n
Made Sukerana, a young lawyer, openly admitted he likes
\nreading all sorts of news whether they are politics, law,
\neconomics, or imaginative stories. \"It is refreshing,\" the lawyer
\nsmiled.<\/p>\n
\"But, I only believe in Ida Hyang Widhi Wasa, the Almighty
\nGod. If we defend the right things, our karma would be good, if
\nwe do otherwise, we would have bad karma,\" said Sukerana.<\/p>\n
Escapist<\/p>\n
Why are Balinese readers eager to read mystical tabloids? To
\nunderstand this, we must look at Bali's historical and
\ngeographical background.<\/p>\n
The island of Bali was regarded as the sole cosmos. In its
\nnine corners, holy Hindu shrines were built to maintain its
\nsacredness and sanctity.<\/p>\n
From the pre-Hindu to the post-Hindu period, the basic
\nknowledge of the Balinese community was centered on theos (Gods).
\nIts government was also theocentric in which the king was
\nbelieved to be a reincarnation of a God.<\/p>\n
Their entire knowledge, information and regulations recorded
\nin Lontar (palm leaves), were written in honor of their godlike-
\nking and therefore they were rich in mysticism and supernatural
\nelements.<\/p>\n
Although rational science entered Bali with Dutch colonialism,
\nthe mystical culture remained.<\/p>\n
Mysticism is alive and is a hot issue among the people.<\/p>\n
Certain Hindu temples are popular meditation places with high-
\nranking government officials, some of whom come from Jakarta.
\nThey meditate in these temples in the hope that they would be
\nable to maintain their current positions or be promoted. In
\nalmost every village in Bali, there may one or more temples.<\/p>\n
\"It is not an escape, Mas (brother). I rather meditate here
\nthan bribe an official to obtain a good position at the office,\"
\nsaid an official while visiting Kubontingguh Temple in Tabanan
\nsoon after he heard of a planned rotation at the Bali provincial
\ngovernment office.<\/p>",
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