65 psychics deployed to 'secure' Jamboree

65 psychics deployed to 'secure' Jamboree

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Apart from deploying police and
other security forces to maintain order during the scouts'
National Jamboree 2001, the committee also employed 65 shamans to
"protect" the national event from metaphysical threats.

The committee reportedly budgeted Rp 100 million to employ the
shamans, who are also camping inside the jamboree ground in
Baturraden.

"I think the budget is not too excessive for 65 shamans. The
funds are needed for their lodgings and allowances during their
14-day stay here," jamboree spokesman Didi W. told The Jakarta
Post on Friday.

Shaman coordinator Achmad Uswanda, 56, claimed the camp ground
is inhabited by spirits.

"Every paranormal knows that Baturraden is located in the
valley of the wingit, in eerie Slamet Mountain where spirits have
been living for hundreds, even thousands of years," Uswanda said.

Days before the jamboree opened, paranormals were involved in
a "fight with elder spirits" to remove them from Baturraden.

"So we negotiated with them (the spirits). Those who wanted to
stay were allowed as long as they did not disturb jamboree
participants," he said.

According to Uswanda, thousands of spirits guarding Slamet
Mountain were willing to move temporarily, but some seemed
"happy" to be among the jamboree participants.

The 65 shamans employed by jamboree organizers were from the
Tasikmalaya-based Kuncung Putih, Purwokerto-based Asma and
Surakarta-based Resi Rogojati schools of paranormals.

The Asma group was tasked with taming wild animals, Kuncung
Putih group was responsible for protecting scouts from harmful
spirits, while the Resi Rogo Jati group was assigned to prevent
rain.

Coincidentally, a day before the jamboree opened heavy rain
hit Purwokerto but Baturraden, which is only about 20 kilometers
north of the town, was dry.

"We saw strange signs that heavy rain would fall in Baturraden
but we knew that it was the work of other shamans. We managed to
overcome that by moving the rain to lower ground and Purwokerto
received the rain," Uswanda claimed.

On Friday however, three jamboree participants were found in a
hysterical condition, crying until they fainted.

"It was the work of bad spirits. We helped them and they will
soon be back to normal," he said. (45/emf)