Magelang - In the midst of the danger “wedhus gembel” (wisps of clouds that set up a group of sheep), refugees dread by the circulation of a photograph of clouds in the summit of Mount Merapi. How could it be? In a photograph taken by one of the residents of Srumbung Magelang district, the cloud that resembles a face of Petruk, one of the clown-servants in Javanese wayang with long noses.
This photo belongs Suswanto (40), a resident of Anom Hamlet, Sudimoro Village, District of Srumbung, Magelang, Central Java. He admitted taking the photo on Monday (25/10/2010) at 05.00 pm from his home. "After the morning prayer, I once saw the peak of Merapi and asking myself why there are oddly shaped cloud. Directly I captured it with my digital camera," said Suswanto.
Suswanto then showed the photo to some neighbors in his village as the village of Ngargosuko, Salamsari Village, Krajan Village, Jengglis Village, Kemiren Village, Sumberrejo Village and Kaliurang Village. "Some elders of the village declare if head of Nyai Petruk or Mbah Petruk is visible, means she’s willing to collect the promise and what’ll happen is the enormous eruption at the peak of Mount Merapi," said Suswanto.
Sugihartono, Suswanto neighbor, said local residents very trust the myth or Nyai Petruk or Mbah Petruk. The myth is believed to be hereditary. The Myths related to the story about disappointment of the King of Majapahit, Brawijaya to Demak Kingdom against tale of Sabdo Palono Genggong. Brawijaya would like to meditate at Mount Lawu but was expelled. Finally he meditated in the peak of Merapi. When alone at Merapi, Brawijaya met an old woman who allegedly called Nyai Petruk or Mbah Petruk. "Mbah Petruk said if there is a leader in the vicinity of Merapi, which is act as not such a good leader, she will claim the promise," said Sugihartono.
Sugihartono explained in the picture Mbah Petruk head facing south. This means that the largest eruption of Merapi will befall in Yogyakarta and surrounding areas. "Back pigtail and sharp nose facing south, Yogyakarta. So, it’s predictable that Yogyakarta and surrounds will get the worst impact.
”Mbah Diur (54), elder of Gantan Hamlet, Ketunggeng Village, Dukun District, Magelang, explain that philosophically and metaphysically the Merapi controlled by some souls of those who qualified. One of them is Nyai Petruk or Mbah Petruk that controls the top part with other supernatural beings, Den Mas Anwar, son of the Prince of Samber Nyawa ruler of Mount Lawu. "Petruk master the crater and Den Mas Anwar ruled parts of the peak down to it," said Mbah Diur.
There is any other supernatural figures who are believed to dwell on Mount Merapi. Supernatural figure is prince Sambang Dalan, authorities left the right side of the slopes of Merapi.
Translation by [dc©2010_cerebro]
Effects of the eruption of Mount Merapi: