Mbah Maridjan facts for kids

Mas Penewu Surakso Hargo, better known as Mbah Maridjan ("Grandfather Maridjan"), was born around 1927 and died on October 26, 2010. He was the special spiritual guardian, or "gatekeeper," of Mount Merapi, a famous volcano in Indonesia. Mbah Maridjan lived in a small village called Kinahrejo. This village was located right on the side of the mountain on the island of Java.

Mbah Maridjan was sadly killed at age 83 during the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi. A super-hot cloud of gas and ash, called a pyroclastic flow, destroyed his home.

Life as Merapi's Guardian

Mbah Maridjan followed in his father's footsteps. His father, Mbah Hargo, was the guardian before him. In 1970, Mbah Maridjan joined the staff of the Sultan of Yogyakarta. The Sultan is a very important leader in the region.

Mbah Maridjan officially became the guardian of Mount Merapi in 1982. People believed he could talk to the spirits of the volcano. The Javanese consider Mount Merapi a sacred mountain.

Special Ceremonies

Mbah Maridjan led important ceremonies to keep the volcano's spirits happy. He would offer rice and flowers around the crater. One of his most important jobs was the yearly Labuhan ceremony.

During this ceremony, a procession would start from the royal palace in Yogyakarta. Mbah Maridjan would lead it. They would bring special offerings to the volcano spirits. These offerings included textiles, perfume, incense, and money. Every eight years, they would also offer a horse saddle.

Mbah Maridjan once explained his job simply. He said his duty was "to stop lava from flowing down. Let the volcano breathe, but not cough."

Loyalty to His Home

Mbah Maridjan was known for being very dedicated and loyal. He became a hero in Indonesia. He lived only about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the volcano's peak. Many villagers believed he would get a special warning if an eruption was coming.

In May 2006, scientists warned that an eruption was about to happen. Everyone was told to leave their homes. But Mbah Maridjan refused to leave his village. About fifty other men went with him to the village mosque when the volcano started to erupt. Following his example, many other families also stayed.

He was badly burned in a later blast. He spent five months in the hospital after being rescued. People admired him greatly because he refused to leave. He felt it was his duty to protect his people. He said his village felt it was their destiny to protect the royal palace and the people of central Java. He believed everyone has a duty, and his was to stay.

The 2010 Merapi Eruption and His Death

Mbah Maridjan again refused to leave his home before the big eruption on October 26, 2010. He told a friend he could not leave because he had a responsibility. He also felt his time to die in that place had almost come.

Thirteen other people were in his home, trying to convince him to leave. They were killed along with him when his house was hit by a pyroclastic flow. This is a super-hot cloud of gas and ash. Only the mosque in his village was left standing.

Mbah Maridjan's body was found in a praying position. It is believed he died instantly from the 1,000°C (1,832°F) cloud. The Yogyakarta Palace later confirmed his death. The Sultan's brother said they knew Mbah Maridjan would be taken by Merapi. He also said they would need to choose a new gatekeeper soon. Mbah Maridjan left behind his wife and five children.

In 2012, Mbah Maridjan's son, Asih Lurah Surakso Sihono, was chosen to be the new gatekeeper.