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Indonesian ghosts and their influence on how society behaves
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Rest in peace: The solemn and quiet Jeruk Purut Cemetery is well-known as one of the most haunted spots in Jakarta. (JP/Gabriella Payne)
Tales of Indonesian ghosts and spirits haunt the minds of many – but is there more to these stories than meets the eye?
The pathway toward the entrance of Jeruk Purut Cemetery in Jakarta always gives an eerie vibe that can make anyone’s heart rate pick up.
“Now remember, you must shower once you’re home, so the spirits [from the cemetery] won’t follow you into your dreams,” Calvin, a guide at the cemetery, told The Jakarta Post during a recent visit.
Jeruk Purut is probably Jakarta’s most renowned “haunted” cemetery. For years, people have been going there to catch a glimpse of hantu Jeruk Purut (the ghost of Jeruk Purut).
Urban legends describe the ghost in the form of a headless pastor and his black dog, who wander the grounds at night.
During the day, the lush greenery of this sprawling cemetery is a welcome reprieve from the bustle of Jakarta’s concrete jungle. Groundskeepers mow the lawns as stray cats bask in the sun amongst the graves. An older man crouches down, laying flowers at the tombstone of a loved one. This seems like any ordinary cemetery at first glance – but the stories beg to differ.
According to locals, there are varying tales of the headless pastor.
