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.