Offerings for Mount Merapi

Mon, October 2, 2017 / 02:56 pm

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A shadow puppet performance by puppeteer Warjito, who originates from Ngemplak village in Boyolali, Central Java. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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A young puppeteer performs during the Mount Merapi offering ritual. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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Female villagers cook tumpeng (rice cones) with side dishes of vegetables for the offering. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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Lencoh male villagers – dressed in beskap (Javanese traditional attire) – carry a buffalo head as an offering to the Mount Merapi crater. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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An elderly villager tries to keep warm. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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Keyrings depicting Punakawan (deity disguised as the clown servers of a hero) with Petruk as the highlight. Petruk is the Merapi guardian in local folklore. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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Incense smoke accompanies the prayers and sacrifice. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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The head of the buffalo and other offerings are prepared to be carried to the crater for the offering. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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Three men carry incense and offerings near Lencoh village. JP/Magnus Hendratmo

Many Javanese people celebrate the Islamic New Year with certain rituals. The villagers of Lencoh in Selo district, Boyolali, Central Java, offered a buffalo head and seven tumpeng (rice cones) for the occasion, which fell on Sept. 20. 2017

“The offerings are to show our gratitude for God’s blessings for us who live around Mount Merapi. Through the ritual, we also beg God to protect us from any disasters,” said village head Sumardi.

The offerings were carried to the crater of the mountain in a cultural procession, accompanied by a series of traditional customs. Village elders shared folklore about Merapi protecting the Selo people, chanting old songs and prayers.

Aside from the villagers, around 1,000 climbers took part in the procession to witness the ceremony, according to Samsuri, an official from the Mount Merapi National Park Agency.