Mahasiswa UGM Meneliti Mitos Ritual Seks di Gunung Kemukus
Mahasiswa UGM Meneliti Mitos Ritual Seks di Gunung Kemukus
Philosophy students of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM): Fitriadi, Taufiqurrahman, Melfin Zaenuri, Rangga Kala Mahaswa, and Surya Aditya, made reseach into the myth of sex ritual at Mt. Kemukus, in Sragen, Central Java, in April. This was made against the background of Youtube videotape by the title of ‘Sex Mountain’ that was made by an Australian journalist, Patrick Abbout. The video discovers his investigation into sex ritual in the cemetery of Prince Samudro on Mt. Kemukus.
The students made the research for the Student Creativity Programme for Research under the supervision of Yulianingsih Riswan, S.Fil., M.A.
The sex ritual practices at the cemetery compound have been legitimised with purposedly twisted interpretations by certain people on the history of Prince Samudro. According to the care-taker of the cemetery, the Prince was the son of the last King of Majapahit who was on his way to find his family members. On his journey, before his death he made a testament that whoever visits his graveyard would have to be happy, trusting and confident as if going to see their lover.
“This testament has been misinterpreted by people who seek for blessings from the Prince that they need to have intercourse,” said Taufiqurrahman on Thursday (16/6).
The students found data on the field that there are some people having an interest related to the sex ritual. These people are economically benefitting from such ritual practices, so, they try to enliven the myth, making it as if legitimate.
According to Taufiqurrahman, agents that continuously spread the myth are owners of food stalls and inns. They were newcomers who came to settle there, built homes and restaurants alongside the way to the cemetery. The myth is spread by these owners to visitors before the visitors see the caretaker. There they will be led to believe that their wishes will come true, if they have sex in advance.
“The phenomenon can be explained in the theory of French sociologist, Pierre Bourdieu, who says that language, symbol, or myth have the power to determine behaviours and views of society,” said Taufiqurrahman.
Another member of the team, Fitriadi, hoped the research would give more understanding on the sex ritual phenomenon on Mt. Kemukus, hoping that the regional government would take a firm measure to keep the Prince Samudro cemetery free from prostitution.