Tabloids delve into mysticism, mystery

By Putu Wirata

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Do you believe in mysticism? Like it or not, mysticism and mysterious tales are now packaged in attractive stories by a number of tabloids published in Bali to delight the province's "mystic" lovers.

The tabloid Baliaga is just such an example. Every week, this tabloid appears with frightening covers portraying Rangda, Leak, Dedemit, or other scary creatures who live in the memories of many Balinese.

To reach its virtual readers, the tabloid has established its own website at http://www.baliaga.com/.

Baliaga widely covers various mystical topics. It also encourages people to share their experiences and stories.

In addition to Baliaga, there are several other publications including Taksu and Nusa Tenggara dailies which also expose the psychic and mystical world.

Nusa Tenggara has a special column for stories on local shamans and traditional healers who carry out unique and peculiar practices. The daily has assigned one of its talented journalists, Made Rai Sulastra, to conduct a series of investigative reports on shamans in villages on the island.

"I've been traveling throughout the island to look for odd happenings," said Rai Sulastra.

He once wrote about a traditional healer who usually swallows insecticide before attempting to heal his patients.

"I brought a bottle of Baygon (liquid insecticide). I asked him to cure my diabetes by surgery," Rai Sulastra recalled.

The journalist underwent a surgery without anesthesia. The shaman cut his belly with the help of a knife and a scissors and took a piece of meat out of his belly. After the surgery was completed, this traditional healer swallowed some Baygon.

"I really believed it was the power of God. How could he stay healthy and safe after drinking liters of Baygon?" Rai Sulastra said.

In the freedom of the press era, any businessman can publish a newspaper or other publications without having to obtain permits from the government.

A lot of media entrepreneurs take this opportunity by publishing mystical tabloids with around 50 percent to 60 percent of its contents on mysterious and frightening stories, while the rest of its contents on erotic articles adorned with sensuous and provocative pictures.

"Low-income people as well as those "bapak-bapak" (executives) wearing glossy ties buy these kinds of tabloids," said a newspaper vendor at a kiosk in Denpasar.

Made Sukerana, a young lawyer, openly admitted he likes reading all sorts of news whether they are politics, law, economics, or imaginative stories. "It is refreshing," the lawyer smiled.

"But, I only believe in Ida Hyang Widhi Wasa, the Almighty God. If we defend the right things, our karma would be good, if we do otherwise, we would have bad karma," said Sukerana.

Escapist

Why are Balinese readers eager to read mystical tabloids? To understand this, we must look at Bali's historical and geographical background.

The island of Bali was regarded as the sole cosmos. In its nine corners, holy Hindu shrines were built to maintain its sacredness and sanctity.

From the pre-Hindu to the post-Hindu period, the basic knowledge of the Balinese community was centered on theos (Gods). Its government was also theocentric in which the king was believed to be a reincarnation of a God.

Their entire knowledge, information and regulations recorded in Lontar (palm leaves), were written in honor of their godlike- king and therefore they were rich in mysticism and supernatural elements.

Although rational science entered Bali with Dutch colonialism, the mystical culture remained.

Mysticism is alive and is a hot issue among the people.

Certain Hindu temples are popular meditation places with high- ranking government officials, some of whom come from Jakarta. They meditate in these temples in the hope that they would be able to maintain their current positions or be promoted. In almost every village in Bali, there may one or more temples.

"It is not an escape, Mas (brother). I rather meditate here than bribe an official to obtain a good position at the office," said an official while visiting Kubontingguh Temple in Tabanan soon after he heard of a planned rotation at the Bali provincial government office.