Mount Merapi and Mbah Maridjan seem can’t be separated one in each other. When people talk about the mount Merapi, Mbah Maridjan will also be described as well. Mbah is a Javanese term for an old man. Mbah Maridjan has real name Mas Penewu Suraksohargo and was given the duty of “maintaining” and “reading” the Merapi one-third of his life.
Now the Indonesian just remembered his smile and how simple his life is. Hot clouds of Merapi that occurred on Tuesday (26/10) make Mbah Maridjan have to leave Merapi forever.
Rescuers found his body in a room of his house along with 15 others, including a journalist and a doctor. The condition of Maridjan’s home in that time was severe, destroyed and covered by volcanic ash.
When rescuers found Mbah Maridjan, his position was in prostration and he worn koko (Muslim clothing that is used for prayer), sarong and white cap. All his body was covered by the rubble of his house and the dust from mount Merapi.
Before the accident occurred, Mbah Maridjan have been recommended by the local government to get out of his house and moved into refugee camps, because the situation of Merapi in that time is very dangerous (Read: Merapi Volcanic Activity Continued to Increase). But Mbah Maridjan refuse to be evacuated, he preferred to remain at home rather than have to move to a place of refuge.
Since Mbah Maridjan was given the duty as a caretaker of Mount Merapi, he never leave from Merapi area, whatever happens on the mountain, Mbah Maridjan remained faithful to “accompany” the mountain that is known as one of the most active mountain in Indonesia.
The death of Mbah Maridjan now is considered by society as an inspiration in terms of fidelity and loyalty to a job or duty. Although there are some people who also said that what Mbah Maridjan did in that condition, is a futile act that should not have to be done.
