Indonesia not only has many languages and cultures, but also a variety of ghosts that have been passed down through generations. So it’s no wonder that local horror films never go out of style. Recently, MD Pictures made the film Perewangan 2024 about a pet ghost used to attract customers to a restaurant, which has been released on October 24, 2024.
In Javanese society, perewangan is the term for supernatural beings used as helpers, both for physical and spiritual matters. According to the book “Orang Jawa, Jimat, & Makhluk Halus,” there are several spiritualists or shamans who keep jinn or demons to harness their powers.
The perewangan ghost is only known to its owner. Perewangan can be used to protect oneself, help others, or even harm others. Often, perewangan is also used to gather wealth, commonly referred to as pesugihan.
To maintain a perewangan, someone usually seeks the help of a shaman or performs a special summoning ritual. And because nothing comes for free, a contract is needed to use the services of a perewangan.
However, in some cases, the spirit can appear on its own. Those who come uninvited are usually more sincere and not bound by any contract with the person they follow. After their business is done, they will disappear.
In Perewangan film, inspired by the X @JeroPoint thread, the maintained perewangan ghost is tasked with boosting the sales of the main character’s family’s restaurant. And in the contract, the owner must sacrifice their partner’s life. Scary, right? Do you think it’s worth it for the wealth of seven generations that will be gained?
Additionally, there are many more types of perewangan ghosts in Javanese tradition. Here, we present some perewangan as reported in the book “Dunia Hantu Orang Jawa” and “Dunia Mistik Orang Jawa.”
Blorong
Do you remember the late Suzanna’s movie titled Nyi Blorong (1982)? Well, Blorong is one of the many types of ghosts that can become a spirit guide. Because no one knows its gender, Blorong can be called “Nyai Blorong” or “Kyai Blorong.”
Usually, the Javanese people more often call her Nyai. As Nyai, her figure is depicted like Suzanna, that is, beautiful and well-proportioned. However, the lower part of Nyai Blorong’s body is shaped like a snake.
It is said that Blorong’s palace is located in the swamps and is built from the bodies of her victims. Usually, the resting place of Blorong is covered with lotus flowers to hide its victims from human sight.
As a spirit, Blorong will grant all the wealth desired by its owner. However, the condition is that the person who uses its services must fully surrender themselves to Blorong after a certain period.
Usually, the period of surrender is seven years and can be extended twice. The victim can also be replaced by one of their children or family members. When the time comes, the victim must go with Blorong to build his palace.
The Bald One
Si Gundul or Setan Gundul is more commonly known as Tuyul. His figure resembles a small child around 4-5 years old with a bald head and bare chest. Because he has no hair, he is called Si Gundul.
The task of Si Gundul is to bring wealth to its owner. To maintain it, someone can make an agreement with the condition of sacrificing a buffalo or other animals. In addition, he usually also asks for offerings of green beans every day.
Not stopping there, if the owner’s wife has a baby who is breastfeeding, she has to allow Si Gundul to breastfeed as well. Oh dear, would you be willing to share milk with a ghost to get rich?
It is said that to prevent Tuyul from stealing our money, we can place a mirror in the storage area. Because Tuyul is still childish. As soon as he sees the mirror, he will get busy playing with it and forget to take the money.
In addition, there is also a myth about placing a live crab in a basin of water near the money storage or in front of the door. Because they say Tuyul really likes playing with crabs. Do you believe it?
Dhenok Dheblong
In Semarang, Dhenok Dheblong is commonly used to call beautiful and adorable girls. In the context of folklore, Dhenok Dheblong is a ghost of a small child who helps as a healer.
According to the myth, there was a woman in the Kartasura area who lost her child when he was still a baby. One Tuesday Kliwon night, the ghost of the baby returned home to help her mother. Since that time, the woman transformed into a shaman who could heal various diseases.
Today, sometimes alternative medicine practitioners are said to use the assistance of the spirit Dhenok Dheblong. Similarly, massage therapists who can realign broken bones.
Hanga Igi
Hanga Igi is a giant spirit with long hair. Although it looks frightening, Hanga Igi can be used by someone for self-protection. When it is in danger or facing evil people, this spirit is said to be able to make itself invisible.
However, if the person who asks for help is ungrateful or forgets Hanga Igi’s kindness, it is said that he will take revenge by suddenly appearing in front of that person, causing them pain.
Drubiksa
The author of the Mystical World of the Javanese explains that Drubiksa is a ghost who protects the inhabitants of the house from danger and disease. Unfortunately, this ghost also often causes mischief by sprinkling sand on food, throwing pots and scattering kitchen utensils, or damaging items in the house.
Besides Drubiksa, there is also something called Antu Omah or the house ghost that resides in the fire of the heater. It will emerge as smoke and then take on the form of a human figure. Whoever sees it will have a bloated stomach and will suffer from severe pain.
Those were some types of perewangan ghosts found in Javanese tradition. Scary, right? If you’re still curious about the perewangan, you might as well get ready to go to the cinema on October 24 to watch Perewangan film by director Awi Suryadi.
The depiction of the perewangan ghost there will be clearer because the film is also inspired by a true story!
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