Indonesia, among many things, is also known for its horror stories. Some are urban legends that have persisted for decades (even centuries), whereas others are more contemporary.
Due to Halloween, which falls on the 31st of October, the month of October itself is always regarded as the period of thrills and spookiness. With that spirit in mind, especially for expatriates and foreign travellers looking to spend their time in Indonesia this October, Indonesia Expat has compiled some of the most spine-chilling Indonesian horror stories — ranging from urban legends that have become a perennial cautionary tale among the locals to contemporary chronicles that went viral and became Indonesia’s modern macabre.
(The list is presented in no particular order.)
The Ancol Bridge Sweetheart (Si Manis Jembatan Ancol)
There are two versions of the story surrounding the appearance of Si Manis Jembatan Ancol. The first version tells of a girl named Maryam who lived with her mother in the home of a wealthy merchant. The merchant fell in love with Maryam’s beauty and sweetness, but Maryam refused and ran away. Maryam’s escape was in vain, however, because she met a group of thugs who raped and killed her, then dumped her body near the Ancol area. The second version tells of a girl named Ariah, who suffered a similar fate to Maryam. Ariah was killed by the thugs, and her body was dumped in a rice field near Ancol. To this day, several people claim to have seen the figure of Maryam or Ariah appear on the Ancol Bridge. She is described as a long-haired figure, and her presence is believed to be linked to a number of accidents in the area.
Ghost Market on Mount Lawu
Mount Lawu, situated on the border between Karanganyar (Central Java) and Magetan (East Java), is a popular destination for climbing. However, Mount Lawu is no ordinary mountain, as many climbers claimed that they encountered mystical occurrences there — some of these mystical occurrences include the presence of a ghost market on the mountain’s slopes. Urban legend has it, if anyone passing by this ghost market hears a vendor asking, “What do you want to buy?”, the climber must answer the question. If offered something, the climber should refuse and take something nearby. The climber should also throw money toward the source of the sound, or else they will be struck by bad luck while on Mount Lawu. Moreover, urban legend has it, some climbers who violated this taboo have reportedly gotten lost or even been abducted to another dimension.
Wewe Gombel
Commonly regarded as one of the oldest surviving Indonesian ghost stories, Wewe Gombel, urban legend has it, is a ghost of a woman who committed suicide after killing her philandering husband. Wewe Gombel is believed to come from the Gombel area (Semarang), which used to be infamous as a scene of murder during the colonial era. The Wewe Gombel’s arrival usually occurs around dusk, when she kidnaps children who are outside. Due to this myth, parents would often forbid their children from leaving the house during dusk, as they are at risk of being kidnapped by Wewe Gombel.
Ghost Bus from Bekasi to Bandung
Being one of the more contemporary Indonesian ghost stories, the ghost bus from Bekasi to Bandung went viral on social media after someone experienced such a supernatural phenomenon. As the story goes, the man, who boarded a bus from Bekasi to Bandung once upon a night, began to sense that something was amiss. He then noticed that everyone on the bus had pale faces, and suddenly, he smelled a musty odour. When he tried to record the situation on the bus using his smartphone, however, no one was visible on his phone screen. He then decided to remain silent and wait for the bus to arrive at its destination.
Bloodstains on the Floor of Tugu High School in Malang
In addition to its remarkable culture, Malang City is also known for its horror and mystical stories. One of the city’s most popular horror stories is the one about Tugu High School, which involves bloodstains on the floor of its auditorium. Although the bloodstains are cleaned frequently, it is said that they inexplicably and mysteriously continue to appear. Even when the floor was replaced at one point, the bloodstains continued to appear. Therefore, to prevent further problems, the auditorium floor was replaced with dark, wooden tiles instead. Urban legend has it, the bloodstains on the auditorium floor are the blood of victims of a massacre that occurred hundreds of years ago during the colonial era.
Houseboat
The next Indonesian horror story is about a residence called the Houseboat (Rumah Kapal), located in North Teluk Betung, Bandar Lampung. The residence is not particularly large or spacious. However, upon seeing it, one might be able to sense a mystical aura emanating from the Houseboat. Urban legend has it, numerous spirits and ghosts reside within the residence. One of the spirits frequently (and allegedly) seen by locals is a tall, large figure with a bat-like body. Another spirit, resembling a dragon, is believed to inhabit the Houseboat as well. The eerie nature of the Houseboat is further enhanced by the numerous accidents that have occurred in front of it.
Nyi Roro Kidul
Nyi Roro Kidul is a legendary Indonesian horror story among Javanese people, especially those living in the southern coastal areas. One particular version of her origins claims that she was actually Princess Kandita, the daughter of King Siliwangi of the Pajajaran Kingdom. Princess Kandita was disliked by her father’s concubines and her siblings, leading to her being cursed by a witch with leprosy. King Siliwangi, instigated by his concubines and children, sought to banish her from the kingdom. Upon hearing this, Princess Kandita fled the kingdom and received a supernatural whisper to throw herself into the southern Java Sea. It is believed that anyone wearing green along the south coast of Java Island will be struck with misfortune: they will be kidnapped by the ruler of the south coast, recruited into the royal army, and made a servant of Nyi Roro Kidul’s palace.
Casablanca Tunnel
The Casablanca Tunnel in Jakarta is known as one of the most haunted places in the city. Urban legend has it, the Casablanca Tunnel is the site of an elderly man’s suicide by hanging. Cut to modern times, and many have seen apparitions of a red kuntilanak in this tunnel. As a result, some locals believe that drivers who pass the Casablanca Tunnel at night should honk their horns three times to ward off spirits. The haunted story of the Casablanca Tunnel was even adapted into a 2007 Indonesian film of the same name.
Nenek Gayung
Nenek Gayung is a supernatural (allegedly) seen walking through busy city alleys or suburban areas carrying a ladle and a mat. Nenek Gayung is described as wearing all black, although some say she sometimes appears in traditional Indonesian clothing. There are several versions of the story about Nenek Gayung — the most common story is that Nenek Gayung wanders alone aimlessly, carrying a water dipper (gayung) and a mat. She is said to approach anyone who passes by and try to chat with them. Another version of the story says that Nenek Gayung would ask passers-by for directions to a cemetery or to her home. If someone responds, it is believed that that night, Nenek Gayung will come to that person’s home, spread out a mat, and wash them like a corpse. Afterwards, the person will die that day or the next.
Kuyang
Primarily known in Kalimantan, this powerful creature, urban legend has it, is depicted as a woman who practices black magic and can detach her head and organs to roam the night searching for blood. Pregnant women and newborns are Kuyang’s preferred victims. During the day, however, Kuyang appears as an ordinary human and blends in with society. The legend of the Kuyang originates from the Dayak people of Kalimantan, where animism and shamanism have long been part of their spiritual practices. In some stories, Kuyang is depicted as being vulnerable to salt or sharp objects, as those can prevent her from reattaching her head to her body, ultimately weakening her powers.