Java's Merapi Still No-Go Zone But "Keeper" Unfazed
Date: 31-May-06
Country: INDONESIA
Author: Lewa Pardomuan
Saturday's quake -- which killed more than 5,000 people and left more than 130,000 homeless in and around the ancient city of Yogyakarta -- initially heightened activity at Merapi.
On Tuesday the erratic volcano was calmer than the previous day, spewing less toxic gas, but authorities still put it on top alert status and told residents of the immediate area they should stay away.
"Today's activities are relatively lower compared to yesterday. The maximum range of the hot ashes today is 3 km (2 miles)," said the Merapi section head at Yogyakarta's volcanic research centre, Subandrio.
Merapi, which claimed more than 60 lives in 1994 and 1,300 in an 1930 eruption, has rumbled for weeks and sporadically emitted hot lava and toxic gases, sparking fears it may erupt soon.
Overlooking the heavily visited Borobudur Buddhist temple complex, it stands about 50 km (31 miles) from the epicentre of Saturday's quake.
Dust fell in villages on the slopes of the mountain, but many villagers have abandoned shelters and returned to their homes. Eighty-year-old Maridjan, the spiritual keeper of the mountain, has refused to leave the volcano and believes the mysterious mountain will not erupt.
"Life will be very peaceful here," the chain-smoker Maridjan told Reuters at his home in Kinahrejo village, just about six km (four miles) from Merapi's peak.
"It's not unusual for Merapi to spew hot gases and dust. I won't go to a refuge centre because I follow the (late) Sultan's order. I have a duty here," said Maridjan, who wears a brown-coloured batik shirt and a checkered sarong.
Maridjan was assigned by the previous ruler of Yogyakarta, the late Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, as keeper of the mountain to look after the safety of the villagers living on its slopes. The Javanese are mainly Muslim, but many people living near Merapi consider it sacred.
Maridjan has become a sort of celebrity since Merapi's activities pick up. Dozens of people from various parts of Java pay him a visit almost daily to ask for advice or simply to have a chat with the cheery old man.
Yogyakarta has abounded with rumours that Maridjan had warned about Saturday's catastrophe.
Maridjan, aware of the rumours, denied this. In front his house, a makeshift placard says in Javanese: "Do not believe in those issues."
When asked whether he had foreseen another natural disaster, he said: "I don't know. Let's hope nothing else will happen. Only God can foresee something."
Indeed, life goes on for many villagers living near Merapi. The nearby resort town of Kaliurang has been reopened recently but most hotels are still empty.
"I've spent three weeks at the evacuation centre and I was bored. So decided to go home," said Mrs Sumopawiro, who runs a food kiosk.
"I will run away when there's an eruption," said the 85-year woman. "Whatever happens will happen," she said, smiling.
Saturday's earthquake was the latest misfortune to hit Indonesia after Islamic militant bombings, bird flu outbreaks and the massive 2004 quake and tsunami.
