JP/5/MERAPI

JP/5/MERAPI

Wary residents make offerings to Merapi volcano

Tarko Sudiarno
The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta

Residents living on the slopes of Mount Merapi, located on the
border of Yogyakarta and Central Java, have stepped up their
vigilance following rumors that eruptions are imminent, despite
its status still being determined as "active, but normal".

Over the past few days, residents living near the volcano have
prepared offerings, a tradition believed to be able to prevent
eruptions.

Those living on the southern slopes around the Pakem, Turi,
and Cangkringan districts in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, have
been preparing sayur lodeh, or vegetables cooked in coconut
milk, as offerings. Those living on the western slopes around
Magelang regency, Central Java, have been placing janur kuning,
or young coconut leaves and small red and white flags over their
front doors.

"We simply have to believe in it. My wife has prepared a sayur
bobor offering just like the other neighbors have," said Slamet,
a resident of Wonorejo, Pakem.

Mbah Prawiro, a villager in Senggi, Magelang, confirmed that
residents were being required to place a piece of young coconut
leaf and a small red and white flag over their doors as a sign of
protection.

"We received a message from the ancestor spirits of Merapi to
place the signs to protect us from nature's wrath. We got the
message from Mbah Petruk, the guardian spirit of Mount Merapi,
whose spirit entered into the body of a gangsir ngentir (spinning
top) player some time ago," said Mbah Prawiro.

Residents living on the western slopes of Mount Merapi have a
particular tradition of using spinning tops to predict danger of
a possible eruption, a tradition that they inherited from their
forebears.

A spinning top player goes into a trance and is possessed by
the spirit of Mbah Petruk. "We believe we will be protected by
Mbah Petruk," said Mbah Prawiro.

Rumor has it that the kraton (palace) of Yogyakarta has
requested residents to prepare special offerings to ward off a
possible disaster.

However, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, consort of Sri Sultan
Hamengku Buwono X, ruler of Yogyakarta, denied that the palace
had issued such a request.

"We have never issued such a request to residents, but we have
no complaints about them performing the rites as they believe
that this will protect them from the dangers of Mount Merapi,"
she told The Jakarta Post recently.

Ratu Hemas added that she could understand people's anxiety
because they lived in a traditional community that still believed
in the signs of nature.

She said that certain people possessing a sixth sense can
perhaps feel the signals of nature and persuade people to be on
guard against the threat of an eruption.

Meanwhile, head of the Mount Merapi Volcanology Office,
Subandriyo, said that the status of the volcano was still "active
but normal". Data derived from observation posts indicated that
the volcano was not showing signs of significant volcanic
activity.

Regarding the activities of residents sacrificing offerings to
protect themselves from danger, he felt that this was reasonable
and that it should be viewed in a positive way. Residents would
be responsive and always remain on alert for the possibility of
an eruption.

Statistical data indicates that Mount Merapi will be active
this year. It usually show signs of increased activity every two
to three years, with the last period of major activity being in
August, 2002.