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)