As November ended and December began the displaced residents of the still active Merapi Volcano circumvented roadblocks to check on the devastation and began to clean up what was left of their homes. High up on the Selo side, which was not, damaged by the eruption, a community took on its responsibility to help with the healing by practicing a centuries old tradition.
When the Volcano Merapi erupted in Yogyakarta Indonesia, in November 2010, Mbah Maridjan who was appointed by the Sultan to protect Merapi, died in his home from the hot gasses in the course of his duties as the Volcano's protector.
As November ended and December began the displaced residents of the still active volcano remained housed in various refugee centers around Yogyakarta. Despite restrictions to the danger zone, some residents circumvented roadblocks to check on the devastation and began to clean up what was left of their homes.
At Malam Satu Suro, first suro (Moslem New Year) night Yogyakarta honored Merapi, an important yearly tradition. High up on the Selo side, which was not, damaged by the eruption, a community took on its responsibility to help with the healing by practicing a centuries old tradition.
About four kilometers from the crater of Merapi the community of Desa Lencoh began their Malam Satu Suro procession to honor Merapi and appease those spirits that troubled the volcano.
Bapak Margono leading a small number of men made the four-hour, four-kilometer climb to the still active crater stopping only to pray and drop offerings into the crater.