Mas Penewu Surakso Hargo or better known as Mbah Maridjan was born 5 February 1927 in the mountside hamlet (dukuh-indonesian language) of Kinahrejo,Umbulharjo village,Cangkringan district of the Sleman regency – Yogyakarta.
He was the spiritual guardian of the Mount Merapi who believed by the local peoples to speak to the spirit of the mount Merapi,the sacred mountain considered by javanese.
He was replacing her father Mbah Hargo (Mbah= grandfather) as a guardian of Mount Merapi in 1982 assigned by Sultan of Yogyakarta,Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX.
Since Mount Merapi will explode 2006,he refused to evacuate leave his village though the scientist warned the imminent eruption.He still gather with fifty men at village mosque when volcano began to erupt,he was burnt badly and spent 5 months in hospital after rescued.He became a popular after his refusal to evacuate.During an interview he said,”everybody has their duty,i also have a duty to stand here”.
It also inspiring a big manufacturer herbal in Indonesia to be an ads star (Kuku Bima Energy).He was paid $16.000 and he distibuted amount of it to the neighbours and to built a mosque.Beside a good moeslem he also believe in javanese spirit that live together in life.
On 26 October 2010 Mount Merapi explode and Mbah Maridjan refused to evacuate again.This explosin expelled hot clouds and cause many victims.”My times to dies in this place has almost to come,i can’t leave”,he told to his friend.
He were killed with thirteen other people who still stay in his home by pyroclastic flow that contain 1,000-degree celcius clouds of gas and ash.Everything was destroy,only the mosque still stand in this village.Mbah Maridjan’s body was found in his home in praying position.
Mbah Maridjan,a potrait of a good javanese with his local wisdom.His dedication and loyalty to the king live in his heart till his death.Rest In Peace Mbah Maridjan..26 October 2010 In Memoriam-Mbah Maridjan
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