Today, Banyuwangi has pivoted from being "The City of Santet" to "The City of Festivals." While the belief in the supernatural remains, the dukun are increasingly seen as .
: Focused on healing through prayer and herbal remedies. dukun banyuwangi
Banyiwangi was once part of the mighty Blambangan Kingdom, the last Hindu stronghold in Java before the spread of Islam. Because of this history, the mysticism practiced here is a unique syncretism (blend) of: Today, Banyuwangi has pivoted from being "The City
"Dukun Banyuwangi" (the shamans of Banyuwangi) is a deeply complex topic that blends cultural heritage, local mysticism, and a dark historical event that remains a sensitive subject in Indonesia. 1. Cultural Identity: The "City of Santet" Banyuwangi, located at the eastern tip of Java, has long been nicknamed the "City of Santet" (Black Magic). In local culture, a Because of this history, the mysticism practiced here
The legacy of the Banyuwangi killings has had a profound and tragic effect on the perception of traditional healers in Indonesia. It has blurred the line between the benign village dukun and the predatory sorcerer, fueling waves of vigilante violence against suspected witches and dukuns across the archipelago. The mass hysteria of 1998 demonstrated how traditional beliefs, when weaponized by state or social forces, can become a tool of terror. The term "Dukun Banyuwangi" is no longer a simple geographic marker but a linguistic container for a collective trauma—the fear that the very person you seek for a cure might be the one plotting your death for a handful of silver or a sip of forbidden power.
This blend gives Banyuwangi shamans a distinct "power" that is often regarded as stronger or more "ancient" than shamans in other parts of Java.