Dukun Banyuwangi Link -

: Focused on healing through prayer and herbal remedies.

The practice of a Dukun involves elaborate rituals. Common elements include: dukun banyuwangi

In Indonesia's legal landscape, the practice of "santet" remains a complex topic. There have been ongoing debates within the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) regarding the criminalization of black magic, as proving supernatural harm in a modern court of law is nearly impossible. : Focused on healing through prayer and herbal remedies

These practitioners focus on curing ailments using herbal potions and magical mantras . There have been ongoing debates within the Indonesian

This fear exploded into national hysteria in 1998, during the final chaotic months of Suharto’s New Order regime. Between July and October, dozens of bodies were discovered in Banyuwangi, all bearing the same horrifying signature: a ligature mark on the neck and a hole in the chest. The police quickly identified the perpetrators as a network of dukuns and their followers, led by a figure named Abdul Hamid. According to the official narrative, these dukuns had been contracted to kill victims—often religious teachers or kyai —to harvest their magical power. The stated goal was to acquire a "perfect" black magic that would allow the mastermind, a dukun named Ponari (no relation to the later child-healer), to achieve immortality and wealth. The media frenzy painted a picture of a satanic underworld operating in plain sight, where respected village healers transformed into ritual murderers under the cloak of night.

In the context of Banyuwangi, the term Dukun does not always carry the negative connotation often associated with "witch doctors" or "sorcerers" in Western media. While some specialize in supernatural combat, the vast majority are (Helpers).