Thousands gather to perform ritual sacrifice at active Indonesian volcano

Thousands of Hindu worshipers climbed an active Indonesian volcano on Monday to hurl cattle, food and other offerings into the smoking crater in a centuries-old religious ceremony.

As the thin rim swarmed around Mount Bromo’s basin, devotees slung goats, chickens and vegetables over their backs to the dusty peak as part of the Yadnya Kasada festival.

Each year, members of the Tengger tribe from the surrounding highlands gather at the top of the volcano – famous for its breathtaking sunrise views – hoping to please their gods and bring good luck to the Tenggerese, an indigenous group in Eastern -Java.

Slamet, a 40-year-old farmer who, like many Indonesians, has only one name, brought a baby cow as a sacrifice.

“We have a lot of cows at home and this one could be considered excessive, so we’re bringing it here… to give it back to God,” he told AFP.

The worshipers make offerings of rice, fruits, livestock and other items as part of the Yadnya Kasada festival

Villagers use nets to catch offerings thrown into the crater of active volcano Mount Bromo by members of the sub-ethnic Tengger group

“This is also an act of gratitude to God for bestowing prosperity… We return it to God so we can come back here next year.”

The calf had a lucky escape when, after Slamet’s prayers, it was handed over to a villager instead of being sacrificed to the volcanic cauldron.

Some villagers who do not belong to the Tengger tribe went into the steep slopes of the crater, equipped with nets, in an attempt to intercept the sacrifices thrown into the abyss and prevent their loss.

Farmer Joko Priyanto brought some of his own produce in the form of cabbage and carrots to plop into the smoky void.

“I hope I get a reward from Almighty God,” said the 36-year-old.

Monday’s ritual marked the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that authorities had allowed tourists to the venue after restricting the festival to worshipers last year.

The event has its origins in 15th-century folklore from the Majapahit kingdom, a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist empire that spanned Southeast Asia.

According to legend, Princess Roro Anteng and her husband, unable to have children after years of marriage, begged the gods for help.

An aerial photo shows members of the Tengger sub-ethnic group gathering to offer sacrifices at the rim of the crater

The animal and harvest sacrifices are part of the Yadnya Kasada festival in Probolinggo

A villager uses a net to catch a bird thrown into the volcano’s crater by members of the Tengger sub-ethnic group

Thousands of Hindu worshipers climb Indonesia’s active volcano to throw cattle, food and other offerings into the smoking crater

As part of the ancient religious ceremony, villagers use nets to catch offerings thrown by members of the Tengger sub-ethnic group

Devotees hoist goats, chickens and vegetables over their backs up the dusty summit

As part of the Yadnya Kasada festival, worshipers climbed the active volcano Mount Bromo

Members of the Tengger sub-ethnic group gather to make offerings at the crater rim of active Mount Bromo

A goat is lugged up the mountain to be thrown into the crater of the volcano as part of the festivities

Their prayers were answered when they were promised 25 children, as long as they agreed to sacrifice their youngest child by throwing him into Mount Bromo.

Their son is said to have willingly jumped into the volcano to ensure the prosperity of the Tengger people.

For shopkeeper Rohim, who came from a nearby Javanese town on Monday to throw potatoes, leeks and cash into the lava, it was a chance to pray for good luck. He said his fortune had improved after previous visits.

“Business is better than before, hence my arrival here,” said the 32-year-old.

“I hope my business can improve so I can come back next year.”