Journalists witnessed how Indonesian miners protect themselves from disasters and cataclysms using an ancient ritual. Impressive images show the process of sacrifice to the volcano.
The ancient city of Yogyakarta is located in Indonesia, which is a center of culture and art. Tourists come here to admire the nearby Borobudur and Prambanan temples. However, near Yogyakarta there is another dangerous attraction - the largest active volcano in Indonesia, Merapi ("Mountain of Fire"), is located 30 km from the city.
The crater of the volcano rises 2386 meters above sea level, and its depth reaches 175 meters, making it one of the largest in the world. But Merapi is known not only as the largest, but also as the most dangerous volcano.
According to the Mirror tabloid, the volcanic eruptions took place in 1673, 1930, 1974, 1975 and 2010, causing massive deaths of local residents. So, in 1930, more than 1,300 people died due to the outpouring of lava, in 1974 two villages were buried, and in 2010, 350 people became victims of the "Mountain of Fire".
The dangerous neighborhood does not scare local men, who are already accustomed to the sight of a smoking vent, since Merapi is a source of income for them.
The fact is that sulfur is being mined in the immediate vicinity of the volcano. However, the warning from the authorities, who advised the townspeople to be on full alert and stay 1.5 km from the crater, made the miners wary and resort to the help of an ancient ritual.
Promotional video:
On December 17, 2013, they slaughtered a goat and climbed with the severed head of the animal on Merapa, and then, during a ceremony, threw it into a crater so that the volcano received its victim. Miners believe that throwing an animal's head into the crater will save them from disasters and potential disasters.
True, the workers would be more helped by the use of special equipment and masks, since almost all of them suffer from respiratory diseases: chronic bronchitis or pneumoconiosis caused by prolonged inhalation of industrial dust, as well as rhinitis and laryngitis.