Tabloids delve into mysticism, mystery

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.