Buffalo Head for Mount Merapi Offering

Mount Merapi eruption.

One of the most active mountains in Indonesia is Mount Merapi. Mount Merapi is a volcano that can erupt at any time. Some experts say that Mount Merapi has an eruption cycle. Some  say, Mount Merapi will erupt every 5 years.

In certain months, the Javanese who live on the slopes of Mount Merapi have ritual events. The ritual performed is to offer a buffalo head to be thrown away in the crater of Mount Merapi. The purpose of this ritual is to ask for safety and prevent natural disasters.

Merapi volcano.

People who live on the slopes of Mount Merapi believe in the ritual of offering buffalo coconut. This ritual is usually carried out every 1st-SURO (Javanese piece). The community will offer agricultural products and most importantly the buffalo head.

Javanese tribe at Merapi slope.

The community will then walk to the top of Mount Merapi while carrying offerings. Arriving at the summit of Mount Merapi, offerings will be thrown into the crater of the mountain. This ritual has existed since ancient times until now. The hope is, even though Mount Merapi erupts, it will not cause casualties. In addition, the ash from the eruption of Mount Merapi can fertilize agricultural land. This is the ritual on Mount Merapi.

Head of Buffalo.