1998 East Java ninja scare: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:25, 14 May 2018

Revision as of 06:15, 26 May 2018

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==Background==

According to Jason Brown, [[Banyuwangi Regency|Banyuwangi]] is a centre of black magic in Indonesia. Black magic practiced in Banyuwangi is a mix of animist beliefs and Islamic mysticism which developed from inter-religious conflict during the 16th century Mataram court period. Belief in black magic, or [[Dukun|dukun santet]], is widespread in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insideindonesia.org/the-banyuwangi-murders|title=The Banyuwangi murders - Inside Indonesia|website=insideindonesia.org}}</ref>

==Events==

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The killings began in [[Banyuwangi Regency]] in February. Organized assassins, dressed in black from which they gained the name ninja, began attacking leaders affiliated with [[Nahdlatul Ulama]]. Local people began to hunt down and kill anyone who they believed to be ‘ninjas’ in response. About five people were killed between February and July. In the month of August, 40 people were killed, and in September the number rose to 80.

According to a contemporary report by the New York Times, onPn 18 October 1998, five men were killed in the Turen area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/20/world/fears-of-sorcerers-spur-killings-in-java.html|title=Fears of Sorcerers Spur Killings in Java|first=Nicholas D.|last=Kristof|date=20 October 1998|publisher=|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> One was beaten to death, one was burned and three were beheaded. On 20 October 1998, three killings occurred. Two had been seized from a police car by vigilantes who reportedly slit their throats, and the third was the man whose head was paraded on a stake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/20/world/fears-of-sorcerers-spur-killings-in-java.html|title=Fears of Sorcerers Spur Killings in Java|first=Nicholas D.|last=Kristof|date=20 October 1998|publisher=|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

On 24 October at Godanglegi, near [[Malang]], another five suspected ninjas were killed by villagers. One victim was burnt to death while another was beheaded.

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===Casualties===

A Nahdlatul Ulama investigation team found that 143 ‘ninja’ were killed in Banyuwangi and 105 in other regions of East Java such as [[Jember]], [[Sumenep]] and [[Pasuruan]], making the total documented death toll 248, though it may be higher.

===Theories===

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[[Category:1998 in Indonesia]]

[[Category:History of Java]]

[[Category:Banyuwangi]]

[[Category:Asian shamanism]]