Kyai Sapu Jagad (Mbah Petruk) the volcano god
Kyai Sapu Jagad is the volcano god who is said by the villagers of the southern flanks of Mount Merapi in Java, Indonesia. The villagers on the northern flanks of the volcano call him Mbah Petruk.
Indonesia is an extremely volcanic archepelego of islands and contains 1600 volcanoes, of which 129 are active and 30 of which are in Java. Nowhere else on earth are more people living so close to so many volcanoes as there are in Indonesia. The volcanoes are seen as life givers and destroyers, the local farmers grateful for the soil enriching ash deposits. The Balinese sleep with their heads towards volcanoes and the residents of the Nage are buried with their heads towards Mount Ebulobo.
Money, chickens and goats are thrown into volcanoes by Indonesians in the belief they will appease them. Many interpret an eruption on
Merapi as a sign that the
volcano deity has been disrespected by improper behavior or thought.
The locals believe that when it expels hot lava, Kyai Sapu Jagad is really sending golden carriages to the South Sea, the kingdom of Nyai Ratu
Kidul (Queen of the South Sea), for the feast.
According to Javanese culture expert Suryanto Sastroatmodjo, in Javanese culture
a volcano occupies an important position. It is also referred to as the Sang
Hyang Dahana Giri, a representation of the possessor of the universe, God the Almighty.
A number of taboos also surround Merapi. One includes a prohibition on mentioning the volcano by name. Locals believe that to do so could bring them bad luck. When referring to Mt. Merapi they therefore prefer to use the words ""Si Mbah"" instead.Si Mbah means ""elderly person"" or ""respected figure"", used for the volcano as an expression of respect.
