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Discover the shocking story behind the neighbor’s friendly smile that hides the secrets of black magic. Read my true experience full of surprises and learn how to deal with similar situations.
In Indonesia, being neighbors is an inseparable part of daily life. Houses standing close together, warm morning greetings, and light conversations at local shops are common sights. But have you ever imagined what it would be like if your neighbor were a black magic practitioner, a figure often associated with mystery and dark magic? This is my story of living next to someone who allegedly possesses supernatural powers and often helps people through dark spiritual channels.
This article will take you into the real experience of living alongside a black magic practitioner, understanding Indonesia’s mystical culture, and how learning Indonesian can help you get to know this culture more closely.
Dukun and Black Magic in Indonesia
In Indonesia, “dukun” refers to someone considered to have spiritual abilities. There are those who help with healing (often called white shamans), and there are also those known for practicing dark arts or black magic—these are the black magic practitioners.
Black magic in Indonesia is known by terms such as santet, guna-guna, pelet, and pesugihan. Each practice has different purposes, as explained below:
Santet: A shamanic practice aimed at harming or even killing the target person. Usually, those affected by santet will suffer from physical ailments that cannot be diagnosed by any doctor, regardless of the examinations performed. Not only that, they typically see and are disturbed by ghosts that are also sent by the santet sender with the help of the dukun.
Guna-guna: While santet affects someone physically, guna-guna more attacks a person’s mind or feelings. It’s usually used for purposes of hatred or love.
Pelet: A supernatural practice that functions to influence someone’s subconscious mind to fall in love with the person who sends the pelet. People who want to use pelet usually must bring photos and personal items of their target, such as hair, as tools used by the dukun during the practice.
Pesugihan: Perhaps the highest practice in supernatural arts, pesugihan is performed to obtain instant wealth. People who desire pesugihan must follow complex rituals and bring difficult requirements. Usually, they go to places considered to have great energy, such as mountains, for meditation and rituals. During these rituals, they make agreements with supernatural beings. It’s believed that pesugihan practices often demand life sacrifices “as” repayment to supernatural beings.
According to research by UGM and Kompas reports, the practice of dukun and black magic persists because society believes in supernatural powers as practical solutions and “hereditary traditions.” This differs from voodoo practices that emphasize specific community rituals in Haiti or West Africa. Despite different locations, both stem from beliefs in supernatural energy that can be controlled by someone considered sacred.
The Beginning of Suspicion: When Mystery Became Reality Next Door
I still remember clearly, several years ago, when a neighbor newly moved into our community. Initially, nothing seemed strange. They were an ordinary family, friendly, and often greeted others like residents in general. However, over time, several things began to feel odd. I saw them frequently receiving guests at their house. In a day, there could be 3 different cars coming alternately.
After some time, rumors began to circulate in our neighborhood that my neighbor was a dukun and the people who came to their house daily were clients who wanted to use their black magic services. Initially, I wanted to ignore it, but I became convinced after seeing a guest enter their house carrying an ayam cemani (cemani chicken).
Ayam cemani is a chicken commonly used in shamanic practices in indonesia, it has black in all of his body, from comb to feet. This chicken is believed to possess power and is favored by supernatural beings as an offering.
Learning that my everyday neighbor was a black magic practitioner brought mixed feelings. There was fear, curiosity, and also admiration for my neighbor’s ability to hide their true identity. What was most surprising was the fact that they remained calm and could interact normally with all neighbors.
Deep-Rooted Mystical Culture: Why Do Indonesians Trust Dukun More Than Psychologists?
An interesting question that often arises is: why in this modern era do many Indonesians still choose to trust dukun rather than seek professional help from psychologists or doctors? This reflects the mystical culture that is indeed still deeply rooted in Indonesia.
Several factors that make this belief persist:
Hereditary Tradition: Mystical beliefs are taught from generation to generation
Limited Access to Modern Services: In remote areas, dukun become the main alternative
Visible Results: Many people claim to feel benefits from dukun practices
Integration with Religion: Dukun often use prayers and religious rituals in their practices
Interestingly, Indonesian society often trusts dukun more than psychologists. Based on a survey conducted by Jakpat, only 24.4% of respondents who felt they experienced mental disorders had ever consulted with psychologists or psychiatrists.
Reasons Society Chooses Dukun:
- More affordable costs
- No stigma like going to psychologists
- Solutions offered are more “concrete”
- Language and approach that are easier to understand
- Experience or testimony from close people
Reasons Society Avoids Psychologists:
- Considered only for “crazy people”
- Costs tend to be expensive
- Lack of understanding about mental health
- Cultural differences in understanding psychological problems
Daily Experience of Living Next to a Dukun
Despite the fear, I maintained good relations. We still greeted each other, though I was more cautious. Sometimes, I saw people bringing offerings into their house. It wasn’t uncommon to hear stories from other neighbors about the dukun’s “supernatural powers.”
Once, a resident from another village claimed their family recovered from illness after visiting that house. On the other hand, there were also stories about someone who suddenly experienced disturbances from supernatural beings or ghosts after having a dispute with the dukun. These stories made the atmosphere feel unusual in our village.
Indonesian Language Glossary
Dukun – Paranormal, sacred person
Dukun hitam – Dukun who uses black magic
Black magic – Supernatural arts for negative purposes
Santet – Dangerous magic from Indonesia
Tumbal – Victim in mystical rituals
Praktik gaib – Supernatural/mystical activities
Pesugihan – Mystical arts for instant wealth
The person in question no longer lives in our neighborhood. I don’t know exactly where they moved to, but I remember them saying that the reason for moving was because the land in that area was not liked by supernatural beings because the residents around were too religious. I cannot confirm the truth of this statement, but if it’s true, then maintaining our faith from the interference of black magic becomes very important.
Living alongside someone believed to have supernatural powers is a challenging experience. There is fear as well as respect. Fear arises from the unknown, while respect is rooted in societal traditions that have been passed down through generations.
For anyone living in Indonesia—whether local residents or newcomers—it’s important to understand this cultural aspect with an open mind. This isn’t just a scary story, but part of social reality that still exists. Interested in exploring Indonesian culture while learning the language? Register yourself now for our Indonesian language course and explore cultural richness through language! Share your experiences or questions about mystical culture in the comments section—we really want to hear your stories!
Disclaimer: This article aims for education and promoting cross-cultural understanding. All forms of belief are personal and do not intend to offend any party. This article is written for educational purposes and does not intend to judge or stigmatize any profession.
