Son becomes guardian of Indonesian volcano

'As the gatekeeper of Mount Merapi, besides maintaining the tradition, he should also be able to collaborate with volcanology officials,' palace official Gusti Joyokusumo said. -- PHOTO: AFP

YOGYAKARTA (Indonesia) - AFTER five months of secretive deliberations, the sultan of Yogyakarta has chosen the new spiritual guardian of Indonesia's seething Mount Merapi volcano, a palace official said on Tuesday.

The job of listening to the volcano's every rumble and soothing its fearsome temper will be passed to Asihono, the son of the late guardian, Grandfather Marijan, who died on its slopes during a massive eruption in October.

'As the gatekeeper of Mount Merapi, besides maintaining the tradition, he should also be able to collaborate with volcanology officials,' palace official Gusti Joyokusumo said.

'There should be good communication between them so the people can benefit.' The 44-year-old will be expected to lead traditional rituals to appease the 2,914-metre (9,616-foot) volcano's spirits, in honour of a 17th-century pact between the House of Yogyakarta and the mythical Queen of the Southern Sea.

Locals believe that in return for peace and protection, the original sultan and his nine descendants had to wed the queen and present annual offerings to the four abodes of spirits allied to the palace.

These are Merapi to the north, Parangkusumo beach to the south, Mount Lawu to the east and the sacred pond of Dlepih Kahyangan to the west. -- AFP