For decades, Mount Kawi has been strongly associated with mystical narratives among the Indonesian public, ranging from pesugihan (wealth rituals) to stories surrounding the existence of unseen entities. Various unwritten rules or taboos are often observed by visitors as a form of respect as well as a precaution to avoid unwanted occurrences in the area.
However, Marcel Radhival, known as Pesulap Merah (Red Magician), took a different stance. Through content uploaded to his personal YouTube channel, he openly admitted to violating various customary taboos during a nighttime visit to Mount Kawi. The action immediately sparked reactions from netizens curious about the reason behind his boldness.
In his action, Marcel deliberately ignored the custom of greeting or asking permission from unseen inhabitants before entering the mountain area. Instead, he made challenging statements, calling himself the 'most powerful human' and asking the mystical inhabitants to step aside from the path he was walking.
In addition to refusing to ask for permission, Marcel also did not comply with the 'passing through' etiquette believed by some to be a form of courtesy when in a place considered sacred. He argued that the Mount Kawi area is part of the human world, so he has no obligation to submit to mystical rules developed in society.
To date, Marcel claims he has not experienced any disturbances or supernatural events following his actions. This action reflects his skeptical attitude toward longstanding myths, while also serving as a space for debate between local beliefs and the rational perspective promoted by the magician.
