English (International) 
Korean (South Korea)
Explore the mystery of santet in Indonesian culture, a blend of ancient belief and hidden power that still shapes local traditions today.
Where Did It Come From? Tracing the Meaning and Origins of Santet
Santet originates from the Javanese language, with the word “sathet” appearing in the ancient Javanese manuscript Serat Wedhasatmaka (1905), meaning “a type of charm through drawing.”
Santet is a magical practice used to harm someone from a distance using supernatural powers through mediums such as needles, nails, hair, photos, or dolls that are “sent” into the victim’s body.
Interestingly, research from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) found that santet has two values: positive/neutral in traditional contexts (such as summoning rain or protection) and negative when used to cause harm. So santet isn’t just “evil black magic,” but part of a broader belief system.
Belief in santet is rooted in animistic and dynamistic traditions that existed in the Indonesian archipelago before Islam, dating back to the Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms. Although major religions have arrived, these beliefs persist to this day, especially in Java, Madura, and other regions of Indonesia. This demonstrates how powerful local cultural heritage has become intertwined with the community’s identity.
Santet in Folklore and Mythology
In Indonesian folklore, santet often appears as a key element. In Java, there are many tales about rival shamans (dukun) competing against each other using santet magic, or mysteriously ill people whose bodies were found to contain needles or nails after being healed by another shaman. These stories aren’t merely entertainment, they serve as moral education about the dangers of envy, greed, and abuse of power.
Santet practitioners are portrayed as possessing esoteric knowledge and supernatural powers, often associated with the dark world and evil spirits. They’re believed to have gained their knowledge through meditation in sacred places or through special rituals filled with taboos. This figure represents a force that is both feared and respected in society.
Java: Stories of santet shamans serve as moral warnings against envy, greed, and abuse of power
Bali: The Leak tradition (shape-shifting witches) with similar concepts of mystical powers
These stories are incorporated into dances, local tales, or rituals to educate younger generations about customs, community harmony, and the consequences of negative actions.
Santet themes also appear in classical Javanese literature, modern horror films, novels, and Indonesian short stories, reflecting the strength of this belief in the collective consciousness of society. Its consistent presence across time periods reflects the power of this belief in people’s minds, a cultural thread connecting our ancestors to the present generation.
The Practice of Santet in Daily Life
Behind the dramatic folklore, the practice of santet in real life tends to be more hidden but still influences social dynamics. This traditional belief typically involves people claimed to possess supernatural abilities, such as shamans or paranormals.
First, the practitioner performs preparatory rituals such as fasting, meditation, or special ceremonies to enhance spiritual power. Then, objects like needles, nails, glass shards, or dolls are used as intermediary mediums. Next, special incantations in certain languages are recited to activate mystical powers. These objects are then believed to be sent mystically into the victim’s body.
The motives behind this practice are often personal revenge, rivalry, hurt feelings between neighbors or family members, or the desire to gain advantages through mystical means.
There are several types of santet in Indonesian society:
- Santet jarum (needle santet): using needles or nails sent into the victim’s body
- Santet teluh: inserting spells into food or drinks
- Santet pelet (love spell): aimed at attracting someone’s attention or love
- Santet guna-guna: aimed at controlling the victim’s mind
Symptoms commonly associated with santet victims include: mysterious illnesses that cannot be cured medically, drastic behavioral changes, nightmares or apparitions of supernatural beings, and claims of finding foreign objects like needles or nails inside the body. But is this really proof of supernatural power? Or is there a more rational explanation?
Santet from Scientific and Psychological Perspectives
From a medical science perspective, many symptoms often attributed to santet can actually be explained medically. These conditions include:
- Psychosomatic disorder: physical illness triggered by psychological factors
- Conversion disorder: psychological disorders that manifest physical symptoms
- Mass hysteria: a collective psychological phenomenon occurring within groups
- Foreign body syndrome: where foreign objects can indeed enter the body due to accidents or unconscious self-harm
What’s most interesting is the psychological explanation of the nocebo effect. If the placebo effect is an improvement in condition due to positive suggestion, the nocebo effect is the opposite, a person’s strong belief that they’ve been cursed by santet can trigger deteriorating physical or psychological conditions due to those negative expectations. Their mind literally triggers real physical responses. The immune system weakens due to stress, physical symptoms appear because of strong mental suggestion, and health conditions worsen as a result of psychosomatic factors.
Imagine someone who grew up in an environment that strongly believes in santet, their subconscious mind will be conditioned to respond according to that belief. When they’re told (or merely suspect) that they’ve been “hit by santet,” their body can actually display symptoms, not because of mystical power, but because of the power of their own mind.
Thus, while “the science of santet” may not be scientifically proven like other physical phenomena, its social and psychological impact is real and remains part of Indonesia’s complex cultural heritage.
Religious Perspectives: Between Prohibition and Social Reality
Islamic View
In Islam, the practice of santet is categorized as shirk (associating partners with God) and is forbidden. The Quran and Hadith explicitly prohibit all forms of magic and black arts. Islamic scholars explain that believing in or practicing santet is a major sin because it relies on powers other than God, involves assistance from jinn or demons, and aims to harm fellow humans. Islam teaches its followers to seek protection from Allah through prayer and remembrance, not by seeking protection from shamans.
Other Religious Views
Christianity and Catholicism also reject the practice of santet as a form of occultism contrary to God’s teachings. Meanwhile, in Hindu and Buddhist beliefs in Indonesia, such practices are also discouraged as they contradict the principles of karma and the true spiritual path.
However, the reality on the ground is more complex. Many devout worshippers still believe in, or at least remain “cautiously afraid” of santet. This creates an interesting dualism, theologically rejecting it, but culturally still influenced by it. This phenomenon shows how traditional beliefs and formal religion coexist, sometimes harmoniously, sometimes in tension.
Comparing Santet with Black Magic and Witchcraft from Around the World
Voodoo shares similarities with santet in using dolls and rituals to influence people from a distance. However, voodoo has a more structured religious belief system with a pantheon of deities.
During the Middle Ages, similar practices like curses and magic potions were also involved. Witch hunts in Europe parallel Indonesian society’s fear of santet practitioners. Both created an atmosphere of social paranoia that sometimes led to violence against accused individuals.
In Middle Eastern countries, the concept of sihr (sorcery) in pre-Islamic traditions has characteristics similar to santet, namely the use of spells and mediums to harm others from a distance.
What distinguishes Indonesian santet is its deep integration with local beliefs such as animism, Javanese mysticism (kejawen), and village social systems. This practice is also often closely linked to social conflicts and rivalries within communities, making it not just a spiritual phenomenon but also a reflection of power dynamics and social tensions.
Santet in the Modern Era
Although the world is increasingly digital, belief in santet has undergone transformation. Several phenomena are occurring:
- Social media and the internet allow santet stories to spread faster, or even be “displayed” as horror or viral content
- Practitioners or shamans offering services through social media and messaging apps, though officially difficult to verify
- Long-distance santet claiming that curses can be sent with just a photo or full name
- Some modern communities are beginning to question this belief, but traditional beliefs remain alive in many areas, especially in rural regions
- Modern conflicts are sometimes linked to santet: for example, business competition, local politics, or disputes between neighbors
- Many turn this “knowledge” into a business with expensive rates or monetization
Modern Indonesian horror films often feature santet themes, such as “Pengabdi Setan” (Satan’s Slaves), “Perempuan Tanah Jahanam” (Impetigore), and various other films that attract millions of viewers. This shows that santet remains relevant in Indonesian cultural consciousness, whether as genuine belief or merely as guilty pleasure at the cinema.
This section demonstrates that santet isn’t just an “old story,” but is adaptive and remains relevant (or at least believed to be relevant) in modern society. Many are openly skeptical about santet, yet still harbor hidden concerns or at least respect the belief in social contexts.
Between Myth and Fact: Learning to Understand Without Judging
It’s important to view santet with balanced understanding. Not all stories about santet are true, but strong beliefs can have psychological effects. Understanding the history, culture, and scientific approach helps reduce stigma and distinguish between myth and fact. Here are important points to avoid misunderstanding or falling into stereotypes:
Myths
Santet always means mysterious death, is only performed by certain “sorcerers,” and can always be physically proven by finding strange objects. Folklore is often dramatic, but reality is far more complex and nuanced.
Facts
Belief in santet remains strong in society, though there’s no scientific evidence supporting it as a supernatural phenomenon. Symptoms associated with santet can be explained through psychology (nocebo effect, suggestion) and medicine (psychosomatic disorders, conversion, etc.). This practice is often exploited by unscrupulous individuals for financial gain, with real consequences: delayed medical treatment, social conflicts, violence, and economic losses.
Navigating Cultural Heritage in the Modern World
Santet is a mirror of Indonesia’s cultural complexity, connecting the past with the present. Understanding it doesn’t mean believing in it, but appreciating how this belief shapes our society’s identity, with this caveat: cultural heritage deserves respect, but health should never be sacrificed in the name of unproven traditions.
Want to explore other Indonesian cultural phenomena more deeply? Join Basantara. Let’s understand Indonesia together with a richer and more balanced perspective!
