The Roles and Significance of Wong Pinter, the Javanese Shaman
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The Roles and Significance of Wong Pinter, the Javanese Shaman Agustinus Sutiono Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of PhD The University of Leeds York St. John University April 2014 The candidate confirms that the work submitted is his own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others. This copy has been supplied on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. April 2014, the University of Leeds, Agustinus Sutiono i Acknowledgements Because of support from institutions, groups and individuals both in Britain and Indonesia throughout the course of research, this thesis has been completed in due time. I would like to thank to The British Province of the Carmelites who have given me a scholarship since 2004 especially Rev. Frs. Wilfrid McGreal O.Carm, Anthony Lester O.Carm, Kevin Melody O.Carm, Richard Copsey O.Carm and Francis Kemsley O.Carm. I am sincerely grateful to Professor Sebastian Kim FRAS and Dr. Susan Yore who have supervised and directed me on the right track towards the completion of this thesis. I thank to the staff of York St John University Research Department, Dr. John Rule and Jill Graham. I would like to thank to all participants especially members of Metaphysics Study Club, Laksamana Handaka, Mrs. Sita Soejono, Prof. Dr. I. Soedjarwadi, Mr. Krisnadi, R.Ng. Brotosusanto, Hamid, Mr. Hardjana, Joko Kijeng, Tamtu family and many more wong pinters who spared so much of their time for interviews. A massive thank is due to SOAS, LSE and British Library for the access to valuable resources and also to the research staffs of the Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affair and Ministry of Culture and Tourism Affairs. I need to thank to my brothers and sisters, and friends who helped me collect data: Anastasia, members of Vox Angelorum Choir, and many others. I am truly grateful to those families and friends who supported me when I was in a difficult situation during the fieldwork: Soedibyo family, Budi Santoso family, Prasetyo family, Mrs. Diana and Mr. Enggal Karyono, Ibu Marcelina H, Agustinus Sutanto family, Juan Teijeiro and Stephanie Shaw, Vincent Iva and A. Priadi. I would like to thank to Tadgh O’Sullivan who has proofread this work. It is impossible to mention all names here. I appreciate your kindness and it is a great pleasure to thank to you all. Last but not least, my thank to James Lapian and Tiwy who helped me tidy up the lay out of the thesis. ii Abstract Exploring the phenomenon of the socio-religio-magico reality in Java called wong pinter which has not been academically examined before, this thesis argues that this social type is a definitely Javanese shaman whose existence has become a cultural system, thus demonstrating that their multidimensional roles reveal a web of significance. Throughout the course of investigation involving anthropological and ethnographical approaches, every discussion on the fundamental aspects of wong pinter is scrutinised within the context of existing study on shamanism. The outcome shows that there is connectivity between Javanese shamanism and Asian or Southeast Asian shamanism. Thus, shamanism is a valid instrument for a study on wong pinters and wong pinters are a valid object for scientific approach. This thesis therefore contributes to the richness of the study on shamanism, the anthropology of shamanism and religious studies since this topic is of interest for these disciplines. Simultaneously it lays claims to be a pioneering academic work on wong pinter, the Javanese shaman, based on first hand study. The roles and significance of wong pinters are a never-was reality for Javanese society because their relevance has embodied with people’s everyday preoccupation with maintaining and enhancing their lives to its maximum possibility. Despite the fact that they have to deal with various challenges, such relatedness to the needs of their community has been expanded to more established institutions and involvements with larger concerns. This has resulted in them engaging more in relationism than in individualism. The application of their knowledge and skill both to their local communities and spheres beyond responds to the spiritual call to partake in the kingly ideology to enhance the beauty of the world. This social type proves itself resilient yet it has to deal with suppression both from the current religious establishment and political authorities. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ i Abstract ............................................................................................................................. ii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. iii Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables.................................................................................................................. viii A map of Indonesia .......................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Hypothesis and research questions ...................................................................... 4 1.3 Existing works in the area and significance of the study ..................................... 7 1.4 Methodology ........................................................................................................ 9 1.5 Chapter Contents ................................................................................................ 13 Chapter 2 Some Essential Themes in the Study of Shamanism ..................................... 15 2.1 The origin of the term ‘shaman’ and shamanic practice .................................... 17 2.2 Shift of attitudes and approaches towards shaman and shamanism................... 22 2.2.1 Unsympathetic views. ............................................................................... 22 2.2.2 More sympathetic views ........................................................................... 23 2.2.3 Deeper and more balanced views ............................................................. 25 2.3 The core of shamanism practice as the basis of its universality ........................ 31 2.4 Varieties and classification of shamanism ......................................................... 37 2.5 Summary ............................................................................................................ 40 Chapter 3 The Connectivity between Wong Pinter and Shaman .................................... 42 3.1 Terminological problems ................................................................................... 43 3.2 Academic discussion on Javanese shamanism ................................................... 45 3.3 Theorising the claim........................................................................................... 50 3.4 Similarities and distinctions between Shaman and Wong Pinter ....................... 56 3.5 Characteristics and varieties of wong pinters .................................................... 64 iv 3.6 Summary ............................................................................................................ 72 Chapter 4 Formation, Types, Roles and Social Standing of Wong Pinter ...................... 73 4.1 The discourse on shamans’ internal preoccupations .......................................... 74 4.2 Scholarly observations on wong pinters’ internal preoccupations..................... 77 4.3 Formation aspect ................................................................................................ 84 4.3.1 On becoming a wong pinter ...................................................................... 85 4.3.2 Gender and other election factors ............................................................. 91 4.3.3 Always in an ongoing process of formation ............................................. 95 4.4 Knowledge, skills and aspects of the professional ............................................. 98 4.4.1 Knowledge and skill ................................................................................. 99 4.4.2 Sources of knowledge, spiritual technology and problems of justification ............................................................................................. 100 4.4.3 Applying the knowledge and skills ......................................................... 102 4.5 Aspects of wong pinters’ social standing ......................................................... 105 4.6 Aspects of wong pinters’ survival strategies .................................................... 113 4.6.1 Connection to a network of wong pinters ............................................... 114 4.6.2 Integration into the local social structure ................................................ 117 4.7 Significance of the discussion on wong pinters’ internal concerns ................. 120 4.8 Summary .........................................................................................................