Reading the Message of Merapi
Merapi has never broken its promise. Not only does it discharge volcanic materials during its eruption but this very active volcano also teaches a lesson in mutual care among people living on its slopes and at its feet.
Merapi has never broken its promise. Not only does it discharge volcanic materials during its eruption but this very active volcano also teaches a lesson in mutual care among people living on its slopes and at its feet. Suladi has memorized the message to date.
Suladi is no longer young. He has reached the age of 76. However, his lean body has remained energetic. On Wednesday (11/11/2020), he was still touring several hamlets at the foot of Merapi in Boyolali regency, Central Java.
Despite the face mask covering his mouth and nose, Suladi’s firm appeal to residents living within a radius of 3 kilometers from the peak of Merapi to immediately evacuate was distinctly heard. At the time, the status of Merapi was already at the siaga (alert) level, just right below awas (danger), the highest status of volcanic activity.
“Ayo podo mudhun, sesarengan ning omah e dhewe (Let’s move, going to the village hall together),” Suladi called out repeatedly.
Also read: Mt. Merapi Eruption Predicted to Not Be As Big As in 2010
The call was followed, especially by senior residents previously reluctant to evacuate. As they heard Suladi’s plea, they made preparations to leave. Most residents were dressed in their best clothes, including long-sleeved batik shirts. They didn’t forget to carry suitcases with important documents. Thereafter, they got into the cars readied to take them to the village hall.
There were also volunteers from the Gantang Village Disaster Control Agency, Magelang.
That noon, ten senior villagers were finally prepared to take shelter. The evacuation was assisted by volunteers from the Klakah Village Alert Team. There were also volunteers from the Gantang Village Disaster Control Agency, Magelang. Both villages have long agreed to cooperate in disaster mitigation efforts.
Elders’ advice
Suladi is not an important official in the village. But he is always present when Merapi’s activity heightens. Through his words and appeals, he persuades people in vulnerable areas to move to safer places in order to give Merapi the opportunity to heave. His noble deeds marked the period of its outbursts from 1954 to 2010.
Klakah Village Head Marwoto, who joined the evacuation drive, said the approach of Suladi was most needed in the present high-risk period. Local people highly esteem the advice of elders.
Also read: Evacuation of Residents Prepared
The reason is that elders are believed to have strong inner ties with the so-called simbah buyut (guardians) of Merapi. His lifelong experience in witnessing Merapi eruptions makes Suladi trusted by local residents.
“He relies on local wisdom but never ignores science and government appeals. This has made him a respectable figure and role model,” said Marwoto.
Nonetheless, Suladi is not conceited amid public praises. He humbly attributes his knowledge of Merapi to his experience in observing earlier eruptions.
Visited on Saturday (14/11) in Boyolali, Suladi still had clear memories of eruptions. Since childhood, he claimed to have lived together with Eyang (grandfather) Merapi, his affectionate term of address for Mount Merapi.
One of the moments he recalled was the 1954 eruption. At the time, on Monday noon, 18 January 1954, he and a number of neighbors left home amid a shower of thick volcanic ash. All of them walked along footpaths in the direction of Mount Merbabu or Magelang only illuminated with bamboo torches. There was no government instruction yet to evacuate days before disaster occurred.
The decision of Suladi and some of his neighbors to evacuate saved their lives. Based on data recorded by Kompas, around 60 residents of Pencar hamlet died at the time after being swept by hot clouds of Merapi volcano.
The intensity of that outburst can now be traced to a footpath about 2.5 meters wide in Sumber hamlet, Klakah village, some 2 kilometers from Merapi’s summit. The hamlet formerly called Pencar is no longer inhabited, leaving only farmland and a cemetery.
The other experience with Merapi was in 2010, when its eruption was considered the biggest in Merapi’s history. As in previous eruptions, Suladi promptly gathered all families to get prepared for evacuation.
He and his family even chose to spend the night in his car. If the volcano erupted any time at night, they could immediately drive off to avoid disaster.
Several residents followed suit. Some of those having no car slept at unlocked doors. They were aware that alertness should be fostered from home. This mitigation was learned instinctively.
Also read: 20 Volcanoes Show Increasing Activities
Suladi is also observant or capable of reading the existing signs to predict when Eyang Merapi is going to have a “party”. The signs are among others earthquakes rocking more than seven times a day, animals on Merapi going down from its peak and cattle beginning to get alarmed.
Yet these signs cannot be fully used as guides. Suladi found no such warnings in 2006 and 2010 eruptions. “They just happened. I couldn’t detect like the former ones,” said Suladi, who had also persuaded residents still unwilling to evacuate.
In the past, they had reason to be confused where to go because unsatisfactory coordination.
Therefore, Suladi won’t take risks. Previous experiences have made him realize the need to call on residents to move many days ahead. Moreover, shelter conditions today are more appropriate and complete. In the past, they had reason to be confused where to go because unsatisfactory coordination.
At present, advancement in science and technology have the potential to save human lives. “People should have no doubt if told to evacuate. They
should readily go as soon as they’re instructed, those who are stubborn will be left behind,” Suladi pointed out.
Also read: Residents Start to Evacuate
Suladi’s modesty in sharing his experience and giving direction makes residents obedient. Parman, 55, a local resident, was ready to evacuate after Suladi accompanied them all to the hall. At some meetings, he frequently heard the stories of Suladi in facing eruptions.
“You should just follow them, let’s hope safety will be bestowed on everybody,” he said.
Local people believe that Merapi’s heightened activity is due to Eyang Merapi’s big party so that it should not be disturbed. Suladi’s appeal that residents evacuate is seen as a form of support to allow the special opportunity to Merapi.
Suladi
Born: Boyolali, 15 June 1944
Occupation: Klakah village elder