Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago with over 17,000 islands, is home to hundreds of ethnic groups, each preserving unique supernatural beliefs and mystical traditions. From Javanese kejawen mysticism to Balinese Hindu rituals, from Torajan death ceremonies to Sundanese folk beliefs, Indonesian culture is deeply intertwined with the spirit world. These superstitions govern daily decisions, influence major life events, and explain natural phenomena. Spirits like kuntilanak, pocong, and genderuwo inhabit the collective consciousness, while traditional healers and dukun (shamans) maintain their relevance alongside modern medicine. Islamic beliefs blend seamlessly with older animistic traditions, creating a rich tapestry of supernatural lore. Here are 100 widely observed superstitions and beliefs from across the Indonesian archipelago.
Spirits and Supernatural Beings
Kuntilanak (Pontianak)
The ghost of a woman who died during pregnancy or childbirth. She appears as a beautiful woman in white with long black hair, laughing when far away but crying when near.
Pocong (Shroud Ghost)
A ghost wrapped in a burial shroud that hops around. It’s the soul of someone whose shroud ties were not properly untied after burial.
Genderuwo
A hairy male demon that lives in large trees. Known for seducing women and causing mischief, especially at night.
Leak (Balinese Witch)
A practitioner of black magic in Bali who can transform into various creatures, especially at night to terrorize villages.
Wewe Gombel
A female ghost who kidnaps neglected children but doesn’t harm them. She returns them when parents promise to care better.
Tuyul
A childlike spirit that can be enslaved to steal money. Owners must provide offerings and face consequences if the tuyul is mistreated.
Jelangkung Spirit
Spirits summoned through a traditional Indonesian sรฉance using a coconut shell doll to answer questions about the future.
Nyi Roro Kidul (Queen of the South Sea)
The powerful goddess of the southern seas who demands respect. Wearing green at southern beaches is forbidden as it’s her color.
Naga (Dragon Spirit)
Mystical serpent guardians that protect sacred places, treasures, and waterways throughout the archipelago.
Kuyang (Flying Head)
A witch whose head detaches from her body at night to fly and feed on blood, especially targeting pregnant women.
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Seven-Month Ceremony
Pregnant women must have a mitoni ceremony at seven months to protect mother and baby from evil spirits through ritual bathing and prayers.
Carrying Sharp Objects
Pregnant women should carry small scissors or safety pins to protect against evil spirits, especially kuntilanak.
Bangle Plant Protection
Pregnant women carry bangle (wild ginger) in their bags everywhere to ward off supernatural threats to the unborn child.
Not Sitting in Doorways
Pregnant women shouldn’t sit in doorways as it may cause difficult labor and block the baby’s passage.
Avoiding Certain Animals
Pregnant women avoid looking at monkeys, rabbits, or deformed animals to prevent the baby inheriting their features.
Placenta Burial
The placenta must be buried with specific rituals as it’s the baby’s spiritual twin. Improper burial invites illness and misfortune.
Warm Water Postpartum
New mothers must avoid cold water for 40 days and drink warm herbal concoctions to restore body heat balance.
Baby’s First Haircut
First haircut comes with ritual prayers and weight of hair in gold given to charity to ensure prosperity.
Protecting from Evil Eye
Babies wear amulets or have charcoal marks on their foreheads to protect from envious glances that cause illness.
Not Going Out at Dusk
Pregnant women and babies shouldn’t go outside during maghrib (dusk prayer time) when spirits are most active.
Death and Funeral Traditions
Torajan Funeral Feasts
In Toraja, elaborate funeral ceremonies with buffalo sacrifices can last days. The deceased isn’t truly dead until the ceremony completes.
Black Cat Over Corpse
If a black cat steps over a corpse before burial, the dead will rise possessed by demons. Cats must be kept away.
Washing Water Ritual
Water used to bathe the deceased must be poured on the grave so the spirit knows where to rest.
40-Day and 100-Day Prayers
Special prayers (tahlilan) are held on specific days after death to help the soul’s journey to the afterlife.
Visiting Graves on Thursday Nights
Spirits return to their graves on Thursday nights before Friday prayers. Families visit to pray and leave flowers.
White Mourning Clothes
Family members wear white or muted colors during mourning periods. Bright colors show disrespect to the deceased.
Not Looking Back After Burial
After leaving a grave, never look back or the spirit will follow you home causing disturbances.
Ma’nene Ceremony
In Toraja, families exhume, clean, dress, and photograph ancestors every few years to honor them and ask for blessings.
Flower Offerings
Yellow and white flowers are placed on graves. Red flowers are avoided as they’re for celebrations, not death.
No Celebrations During Mourning
Families postpone weddings and celebrations for at least 40 days after a death out of respect.
Weddings and Marriage
Auspicious Wedding Dates
Javanese couples consult the primbon (Javanese calendar) to choose lucky dates based on the bride and groom’s birthdays.
Siraman Ceremony
Pre-wedding ritual bathing cleanses bride and groom from negative energy and past relationships before starting married life.
Throwing Rice and Coins
Mothers throw rice and coins during ceremonies symbolizing wishes for prosperity and fertility in the marriage.
Stepping on Groom’s Foot
Bride and groom compete to step on each other’s foot after ceremony. Who steps first will dominate the marriage.
Midodareni Night
Night before wedding, the bride stays home as angels come to bless her. She must look her best to impress them.
Breaking the Egg
Groom breaks an egg with his foot, bride washes his feet, showing mutual respect and partnership in marriage.
Not Marrying Same Birth Date
Couples born on the same weton (Javanese birth date) shouldn’t marry as it brings conflict and misfortune.
Yellow Rice Ceremony
Yellow rice (nasi kuning) symbolizes prosperity and is essential at weddings to ensure a wealthy married life.
Older Sibling Must Marry First
Younger siblings shouldn’t marry before older ones or the older sibling will have difficulty finding a spouse.
Throwing the Bouquet
Bride throws flower bouquet to single women. Whoever catches it will be the next to marry.
Daily Life and Home
No Umbrellas Indoors
Opening umbrellas inside, especially black ones, invites death into the house. It’s extremely unlucky.
Not Sitting in Doorways
Sitting or standing in doorways blocks good fortune from entering and allows evil spirits easier access.
Sweeping at Night
Sweeping after dark sweeps away rezeki (fortune and sustenance) and disturbs resting spirits.
Not Cutting Nails at Night
Cutting nails after sunset invites spirits and bad luck. Nails cut at night may be used for black magic.
Whistling at Night
Whistling after dark summons evil spirits and snakes. It’s especially dangerous near trees or water.
Covering Mirrors at Night
Mirrors should be covered when sleeping to prevent spirits from entering through reflections or souls from getting trapped.
Not Hanging Clothes at Night
Clothes hung outside after dark may be borrowed by spirits, especially by kuntilanak or pocong.
Stepping Over Someone
Never step over a person lying down. It stunts their growth and shows great disrespect.
Spilled Salt
Spilling salt brings arguments and misfortune to the household. It must be cleaned immediately.
Evil Eye Protection
Amulets and talismans protect against hasad (envy) and negative looks. Common charms include cowrie shells and red thread.
Food and Eating Customs
Not Eating Alone at Night
Eating alone in the dark invites spirits to join you and eat with you, causing illness or possession.
Leaving Rice in the Bowl
Leaving rice grains shows disrespect to farmers and invites poverty. Every grain should be eaten or saved for spirits.
Not Passing Sharp Objects
Sharp objects like knives shouldn’t be passed hand-to-hand; they should be laid down for the other person to pick up.
Offering to Spirits
Small portions of food are placed on altars or ground for spirits, especially during meal times and special occasions.
Whole Fish Symbolism
Fish should be served whole to represent completeness and good fortune. Never flip the fish as it symbolizes a capsized boat.
Pouring Drinks First
Always pour drinks for guests before yourself to show respect. Never let anyone’s glass empty completely.
Slurping Noodles
Loudly slurping noodles is acceptable and shows appreciation, not rudeness like in Western culture.
Not Eating Banana at Night
Some regions believe eating bananas after dark causes nightmares or attracts spirits interested in the smell.
Blessed Food Distribution
After religious meals, leftover food (berkat) is distributed to neighbors. Refusing it is considered disrespectful and unlucky.
Odd Number of Dishes
Some cultures serve odd numbers of dishes for auspiciousness. Even numbers can be seen as inauspicious.
Numbers and Timing
The Number Seven
Seven is auspicious and appears in many traditions: seven months pregnant ceremony, 40-day prayers, 7-day week cycles.
Three is Unlucky
Three people in one photo means the middle person will have misfortune. Giving three of anything symbolizes bad luck.
Weton Calendar System
Javanese combine five-day and seven-day cycles creating 35-day weton cycles. Birth on specific wetons determines fate and personality.
Maghrib Prayer Time Danger
The period at dusk (maghrib) is most dangerous spiritually. Avoid being outside, especially children and pregnant women.
Midnight Spiritual Activity
Midnight to 3 AM is the most spiritually active time. Avoid traveling or being alone during these hours.
Full Moon Significance
Full moon nights increase spiritual activity. Certain rituals and ceremonies are performed specifically at full moon.
Islamic Calendar Events
Specific Islamic calendar dates like Ramadan and Eid carry spiritual significance and auspicious timing for events.
Friday Sacred Day
Friday is considered sacred and special. Important prayers and pilgrimages are preferred on Fridays.
Zodiac and Astrology
Zodiac signs influence personality, compatibility, and life events. Horoscopes determine auspicious dates.
Planetary Hours
Each hour is governed by a planet affecting activities. Certain hours are better for business, travel, or spiritual practices.
Animals and Omens
Birds as Messengers
Certain birds carry messages from the spirit world. Their appearance and calls predict fortune or misfortune.
Eagle Sightings
Eagles are considered divine messengers bringing good news and protection from ancestors.
Owl Calls Warn of Death
Owls hooting near homes, especially repeatedly, signal approaching death in the family.
Snakes in Homes
Snakes in homes are considered naga (spirit guardians). They should never be harmed or family will face curses.
Turtle Longevity Symbol
Turtles represent long life and stability. Having turtle representations brings longevity to families.
Frog Croaking
Frogs croaking in unusual patterns can predict rain, visitors, or approaching storms.
Lizard Dropping on You
If a lizard drops on you, it’s considered bad luck. You must immediately wash and perform a cleansing ritual.
Bee Swarms
Bees swarming near homes can mean good fortune or warnings. They shouldn’t be harmed or killed.
Bats and Vampires
Bats are associated with supernatural beings like kuyang and vampires. They shouldn’t be kept as pets.
Insect Omens
Certain insects appearing repeatedly have meanings. Butterflies mean transformations; termites can signal bad luck.
Mystical Practices and Healing
Dukun (Shaman) Consultations
Shamans diagnose illnesses through spiritual means, identifying if causes are physical, magical, or spiritual.
Herbal Remedies
Traditional herbal medicine (jamu) is used to cure illnesses and maintain health balance.
Massage and Healing Touch
Therapeutic massage (urut) by trained practitioners restores energy flow and treats various ailments.
Amulet Making
Sacred amulets are crafted with prayers and rituals to provide protection, health, and prosperity.
Kejawen Mysticism
Javanese spiritual path blending animism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Followers seek spiritual harmony and knowledge.
Mantra Recitation
Sacred words and mantras repeated for protection, healing, prosperity, and spiritual advancement.
Meditation and Trance
Deep meditation (samadhi) allows communication with ancestors and spiritual guides.
Evil Eye Removal Ritual
Practitioners remove curses and evil eye through prayers, water rituals, and spiritual cleansing techniques.
Hot and Cold Body Theory
Health depends on balancing hot and cold elements in the body. Treatment restores this balance.
Avoiding Cold Water
Cold water upsets body balance especially for women. Warm water is used for bathing and drinking.
Colors and Symbolism
Red for Protection
Red thread or cloth worn or tied protects against evil spirits and negative energy.
Black Cloth at Funerals
Black represents mourning and death. Wearing black at funerals is customary and respectful.
Yellow for Prosperity
Yellow (especially in rice ceremonies) symbolizes wealth and good fortune in many Indonesian cultures.
Green at Southern Beaches
Wearing green at southern beaches (Nyi Roro Kidul’s domain) is forbidden. It’s her sacred color.
White for Purity
White represents purity, cleanliness, and holiness. Worn during spiritual ceremonies and prayers.
Purple for Nobility
Purple traditionally represents nobility and spiritual authority, worn by healers and spiritual leaders.
Batik Patterns and Meanings
Traditional batik patterns carry spiritual meanings. Certain patterns protect, bring luck, or have ceremonial significance.
Gold for Wealth
Gold-colored items attract wealth and prosperity. Used in ceremonies and worn by those seeking success.
Metal Amulets
Silver protects against evil, while gold attracts good fortune. Both metals are used in protective jewelry.
Rainbow Blessings
Rainbows are seen as blessings from heaven. Pointing at them is disrespectful and may anger the spirits.