Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, responded to the emerging issue regarding pilgrimage activities at Mount Kawi, East Java. He emphasized that the practice is an integral part of a mosaic of old traditions and culture that have coexisted with Indonesian society.
This statement came following widespread discussions on social media linking the area to mystical practices or *pesugihan* (wealth-seeking rituals). Responding to this, Fadli Zon views the pilgrimage phenomenon as a social reality that needs to be understood within the framework of the archipelago's cultural diversity.
Furthermore, Fadli Zon stressed that the government appreciates all forms of tradition as long as they bring a positive impact to the surrounding environment. "As long as these activities bring goodness, especially in driving the cultural economy for the local community, and do not cause disruption or damage, then we view it as part of life's reality," he said in Jakarta, Monday.
For information, the Mount Kawi Cemetery (Pesarean Gunung Kawi) located in Malang Regency is a burial complex of historical figures Raden Mas Soeryo Koesoemo or Kiai Zakaria II (Eyang Djoego) and Raden Mas Iman Soedjono. This site is a religious destination often visited by the public, especially during sacred moments such as the Islamic New Year or 1 Suro celebrations, which are often filled with carnival processions and flower-scattering rituals.
