Tracing the 'Dead Village' in Prambanan, Sleman, Reclaimed by Forest After the 2006 Earthquake

The powerful earthquake that shook Yogyakarta on 27 May 2006 left behind a ‘dead village’ in Sumberharjo, Prambanan, Sleman. The abandoned area has since transformed into a forest overgrown with tall trees. The deserted village is located in the hamlets of Nglepen and Sengir, approximately 17 kilometres east of Yogyakarta city. Situated on a hillside, the area is now uninhabited, though the land above and below the old settlement remains populated. The access road to the dead village is quite steep, with an elevation of around 150 to 200 metres. The road is flanked by dense trees and thick undergrowth, making it difficult for sunlight to penetrate. Amidst the tree trunks, remnants of house walls, broken water tanks, and old footpaths are still visible, some tilted or sunken due to land subsidence. There is no longer any sign of human activity, and the area resembles a forest. Lasiyem, a 70-year-old resident, recalled that during the 2006 earthquake, she was cooking while her child was bathing before school. When the tremors hit, everyone ran outside to safety. She noted that while no one in the Nglepen neighbourhood was injured or killed, all masonry buildings were damaged, with some houses partially collapsing. The ground subsided and walls cracked. Residents lived in tents before being relocated in 2009 to the new ‘dome’ houses, also known as the Teletubbies village. Lasiyem and 50 other families have lived in the domed houses since 2009. She explained that the old site is now a forest, closed off by trees and wood, and is no longer safe for habitation. She only returns occasionally to collect animal feed. Another resident, Samijo, 71, also visits the old village solely to gather fodder, as the land is too densely wooded to cultivate crops. He mentioned that the land is certified, and younger generations sometimes visit, but no one dares to live there anymore, describing it as an eerie, haunted place. The new dome settlement, located about a kilometre downhill, features igloo-like structures painted in various colours, with some residents adding extensions. The complex includes dome-shaped public facilities, including a mosque, and has been developed into a tourist village. Kurniawan Widiyanto, the head of Sumberharjo, confirmed that the 2006 earthquake forced the relocation of residents from Sengir and Nglepen. While a portion of Sengir remains inhabited, the entire population of Nglepen was moved. He stated there were no fatalities in Nglepen, but the land subsidence made it too dangerous to live there. Approximately 70 dome houses were built for the two hamlets, serving both as housing and a tourist destination.