Is It True That Goblins Can't Steal Money from Banks? Here's the Explanation
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - In Indonesian folklore, ‘Tuyul’ are known as supernatural creatures who can steal money for their masters. This raises the question: is it true that Tuyul cannot steal money from banks?
Cultural expert Suwardi Endraswara writes in Dunia Hantu Orang Jawa (2004) that Tuyul operate by visiting houses and their activities extend beyond just stealing money, including other valuables. This is often associated with individuals obsessed with wealth.
However, there have been no reported cases of banks losing money due to theft by these small, goblin-like creatures.
Online discussions offer various explanations, such as Tuyul being afraid of metal (as bank vaults contain money) or the presence of other supernatural guardians in banks that deter them.
These answers remain speculative and based on illogical assumptions. However, regardless of the answer, there is a scientific basis behind the mystical stories of Tuyul, which can debunk their existence and explain why they wouldn’t steal money from banks or access someone’s e-money balance.
To understand this, we need to go back to 1870 when the Netherlands implemented an open door policy, replacing the forced cultivation system. While initially seen as beneficial, it led to a new colonial regime where people’s plantations were converted into large estates and sugar factories. This worsened the lives of many, especially small farmers in Java who fell deeper into poverty due to losing control over their land.
On the other hand, some prospered under this system, including traders from both indigenous and Chinese communities, who quickly became wealthy. This rapid increase in wealth surprised the struggling farmers, who wondered where it came from.
At that time, farmers lived a subsistence lifestyle, as described by Ong Hok Ham in Wahyu yang Hilang Negeri Yang Guncang (2019). They farmed primarily for their own consumption, with any surplus used for tribute or sold. As a result, they believed that wealth accumulation was an open process, requiring visible effort and clear steps.
The problem was that they didn’t see the hard work of these newly wealthy individuals, nor could they prove the source of their wealth when questioned. This led to envy and resentment among farmers towards traders who seemed to acquire so much wealth.
Furthermore, according to George Quinn in “An Excursion to Java’s Get Rich Quck Tree” (2009), farmers always believed that wealth should be accountable. When the wealthy couldn’t explain their source of income, farmers became envious and accused them of theft.
Due to their strong belief in mysticism, farmers saw this theft as a result of cooperation between the wealthy and supernatural beings, including Tuyul. Tuyul are mythological figures from Java known for being small, bald creatures that can be kept as pets.
Thus, envious farmers often accused the newly rich of using illicit means to acquire wealth. According to Ong Hok Ham in Dari Soal Priayi sampai Nyi Blorong (2002), these accusations led to a loss of social status for traders and successful entrepreneurs, who were considered “dishonorable” for accumulating wealth through unethical alliances.
This situation arose due to the changes in Dutch colonial policies that unexpectedly benefited some. As a result, wealthy individuals began to purchase goods that didn’t overtly display their wealth, such as gold or luxury items. If they bought land or houses, they were accused of keeping goblins or Tuyul by farmers.
These unfounded accusations contributed to the increasing popularity of Tuyul as a mystical figure associated with wealth, and this continues to be prevalent in Indonesia today. Moreover, Indonesian society, which has been agrarian for many years, perpetuates these imaginations and accusations about using Tuyul.