Indonesia West Java
Pelabuhanratu
A seaside town known for its surf breaks, fishing industry, and the legendary Nyai Roro Kidul, the Queen of the Southern Sea.
Tips from the community
Upon Java’s southern coastline is the fishing village of Pelabuhan Ratu, which grants access to the Indian Ocean and the sea goddess Nyai Loro Kidul.
Her relationship with the region’s fisherfolk and boatmen is such that they hold a memorial day each year to appease her temper. The ceremony, sedekah laut, sees gifts and sacrifices set afloat in the brine to curry the deity’s favour in the hope that she responds with good catches and calm seas.
Lore warns against wearing green in her realm, for it enrages the goddess, who will entice the wearer into the water to drown.
tomas.d 3 years ago
Pelabuhanratu Guides
Tradition and Lore: Eight Intriguing Sites in Indonesia
tomas.d (Tom D) Whilst Indonesia has plenty to entice visitors, it is the hidden depths that often offer the most compelling allure. The depth and breadth of folklore and history mirror the cultural diversity across the archipelago, from the northern tip of Sumatra to West Papua’s border with Papua New Guinea, and indicate the influence of long-held customs. Magnify this across innumerable religions, languages, cultures and islands to have some idea of the myriad stories that only begin to scratch the surface of Indonesia’s mythology and teach lessons to those willing to learn. Here are eight such examples.