Dukun Santet Banyuwangi 1998 ~upd~ Jun 2026

as Mbah Karsih is the film’s soul. With a face etched like old tree bark, she speaks in a whisper. Her scenes are the most haunting because she never denies her power. When Jatmiko asks, "Did you kill Pak Tarto?" she replies, "I only helped what was already in his liver." Is she confessing? Babbling? The film never clarifies, and that ambiguity is terrifying.

Occurring amidst the chaotic collapse of President Suharto’s 32-year New Order regime, the tragedy sits at the volatile intersection of deep-rooted mystical beliefs, economic desperation, and high-level political conspiracy. dukun santet banyuwangi 1998

—groups of dozens of men dressed in all-black, wearing masks, and operating with military-like precision. as Mbah Karsih is the film’s soul

The mid-to-late 1990s were a time of immense social instability in Indonesia. The Asian Financial Crisis had decimated the economy, sending poverty rates soaring. Food shortages were common, and trust in the government was non-existent. When Jatmiko asks, "Did you kill Pak Tarto

While initially targeting alleged sorcerers, the killings rapidly expanded to include community leaders, (Islamic scholars), and guru ngaji (Quran teachers), particularly those affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) 3. Sociopolitical Context & Theories

The method of the killings was specific. The perpetrators did not attack from the front like common thieves. They struck at night, often dragging the victims from their beds. In many cases, the bodies were mutilated or left in public spaces as a warning.