Dukun
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A dukun is an Indonesian shaman and also traditional healer, curer, spirit medium, custom and tradition experts and on occasion sorcerers and masters of black magic.
The dukun is the very epitome of the kejawen or kebatinan belief system indigenous to Java. Beneath the thin superficial practice of Islam, very strong and ancient 'paganist' animist, ancestor worship, sacrifice and shamanic beliefs run through many Indonesian, particularly among Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese and Dayak
The Dukun (pronounced Doo-koon) remain highly respected and somewhat feared figures in Indonesian society, even in the most orthodox Islamic areas. Dukun are most common on the island of Java, though the island of Madura is especially feared for very powerful practitioners of dark magicks, and Bali is well regarded for its dukun. The Dayak people of Kalimantan are also feared for their use of dukun when head-hunting. In common practice, a dukun is consulted when a person perceives they have an issue that has a supernatural or paranormal association. If a dukun is not known to the individual, their family or friends, word of mouth often creates a situation where the dukun will appear as if summoned, most especially in the case of possessions.
Many highly prominent and highly educated Indonesians, even those with Western doctorate and masters levels degrees will still employ dukun or soothsayers. Indonesians who are know to have used dukun include former President Sukarno former president Suharto, former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, Sultan Hamengkubuawana X and Sultan Hamengkubuawana XI and many, many more.
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[edit] Purported abilities
[edit] Medicinal and curative
Dukun are known to have curative powers. They may use incantations, herbal medicine, animal parts, inanimate objects, spiritual communication or guidance, prayers, offerings, the keris or any combination to effect their curatives.
[edit] Exorcism
Dukun are believed to be able to communicate directly with malevolent and benevolent spirits. Spirits are said not to resist the dukun in their removal from their 'host', as they are enthralled that a living being can communicate with them.
[edit] Divination and Soothsaying
Dukun’s are most famous for prophetic visions. This is often the result of consulting spirits relating to one’s deceased family who often provide insight into what is likely to happen.
[edit] Charms and Blessings
Dukun will occasionally bless an individual or a business, to keep away termites or spirits or demons, or over a piece of land to ensure a good harvest.
[edit] Spritual Communications
Dukun are alleged to see normally invisible spirits and communicate as easily as though the spirit were physically present. Many spirits are supposed to speak archaic Javanese or Sundanese and the Dukun may be able to speak these languages during momentary spiritual possessions, despite not having prior knowledge of these languages.
[edit] Sorcery
Dukuns are generally benevolent shamans. On occasion, some practitioners of black or dark magicks may be employed to cast revenge hexes and incantations often for trivial matters.
Some known incant ions include:
Djengges where a half circle of food offerings, including opium and incense and wepaons in the form of nails, class and needles. The dukun then chants a spell and actually asks spirits to embed the items in the victim’s stomach.
Gendam : A dukun will incant the target's name so that a spell is thrown, where the target cannot rest until they are cured by another dukun. This ritual involves the dukun chanting the name of the person he wants to summon, as well as a
Naruga The dukun implants an emotional suggestion in the victim. It may be benevolent such as a love spell, or malevolent- causing the target to murder someone else.
Santet Slightly humorous- the dukun causes the target to have chronic diarrhea.
Sirep The dukun causes people to fall under a deep, unshakable slumber.
Tenung This ritual involves creating a half circle of food offerings, including opium and incense, while chanting for the destruction of the victim. The target suffers headaches, vomiting and illness until remedied by another dukun.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- The Religion of Java. Clifford Geertz. University of Chicago Press 1976. ISBN 0226285103
- Understanding Witchcraft and Sorcery in Southeast Asia. C. W. Watson, R. F. Ellen.University of Hawaii Press, 1993. ISBN 0824815157
- Modern Trends in Islamic Theological Discourse in 20th Century Indonesia. Fauzan Saleh. BRILL, 2001. ISBN 9004112510
- Islam: Essays on Scripture, Thought, and Society : a Festschrift in Honour. By Peter G. Riddell, Tony Street, Anthony Hearle Johns Contributor Peter G Riddell, Ph.D., Peter G. Riddell. BRILL, 1997. ISBN 9004098186
