Photos: Indonesian volcano draws thousands for ritual sacrifice

Thousands of Hindu worshipers scaled an active volcano in Indonesia to throw cattle, food and other offerings into its smoking crater in a centuries-old religious ceremony.

Walking the rim around the Mount Bromo basin on Monday, devotees dragged goats, chickens and vegetables slung on their backs up the dusty peak as part of the Yadnya Kasada festival.

Every year, members of the Tengger tribe from the surrounding highlands gather on top of the volcano in hopes of pleasing their gods and bringing luck to the Tenggerese, an indigenous group in East Java.

Slamet, a 40-year-old farmer who, like many Indonesians, goes by only one name, brought a baby cow as an offering.

“We have a lot of cows at home and this one can be considered excess so we are bringing it here…to give it back to God,” Slamet said.

“This is also an act of gratitude to God for giving us prosperity… We give it back to God so that we can come back here next year.”

However, the calf was lucky as it was given to a villager after Slamet’s prayers instead of being sacrificed to the volcanic cauldron.

Some villagers not belonging to the Tengger tribe took to the steep slopes of the crater equipped with nets in an attempt to intercept the offerings thrown into the chasm and prevent them from going to waste.

Joko Priyanto, a farmer, brought some of his produce in the form of cabbages and carrots to throw into the steaming void.

“I hope to receive a reward from Almighty God,” the 36-year-old said.

Monday’s ritual marked the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that authorities allowed tourists to visit the site.

The festival, which was limited to worshipers last year, has its roots in the 15th-century folklore of the Majapahit kingdom, a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist empire that stretched across Southeast Asia.

Legend has it that a princess, Roro Anteng, and her husband, unable to have children after years of marriage, begged the gods for help. Their prayers were answered and they were promised 25 children, as long as they agreed to sacrifice their youngest son by throwing him on Mount Bromo.

It is said that his son willingly jumped into the volcano to ensure the prosperity of the Tengger people.

For the merchant Rohim, who threw potatoes, leeks and cash into the lava, it was an opportunity to pray for good luck. He said his luck had improved after previous visits to the volcano.

“Business has been better than before, that’s why I came here,” said the 32-year-old.

“I hope my business can improve so I can come back next year.”