Yogyakarta Indonesia

Ancient Javanese ceremony where rice offerings (Tumpengs) are carried to a river flowing off Merapi and given to the waters in order to appease just Mount Merapi just 2 k from the erupting volcano. May 14, 2006. Photo by John Stanmeyer-VII

Men prepare their makeup before performong in the Jatilan, part of the Reok Ponorogo . The ancient Javanese custom has been around for centuries. All the girls come from Margo Tontro village in Sumber located around 3 k from Merapi. May 14, 2006. Photo by John Stanmeyer-VII

Upacara Mulia Ruwatan Merapi Ceremony at Tunggul Lawas about 3 kilometers from Merapi where in 1961 over 20 people died when Merapi erupted. Photo by John Stanmeyer-VII

Swallows at dusk next to a mosque in central Java, Indonesia.

Baryo, 50, from Ranupani Village near Bormo, praying during the Kasada Ceremonies on Mount Bromo, East Java. Photograph by John Stanmeyer-VII

Rice offering called a Tempeng in the shape of a volcano in preparation for a ceremony in Sumber, a village 3 k from Merapi in central Java, Indonesia . May 14, 2006. Photo by John Stanmeyer-VII

Thrones of Javanese Muslims look for offerings floating in the waves on Parangtritis Beach. Each Jumat Kliwon on the Javanese calendar brings out thousands who pray to the Queen of the South Seas (Kajeng Ratu Kidul) then to make their prayers come true — as well as for good luck —some will have sex with [...]

Kuda Lumping dance, a horse dance from central Java where the participants go deep into trance using the spirit from Merapi and start eating flowers, incense and loose control of their bodies then are whipped by a master as if they are horses, all part of the ceremony before making offerings to Mount Merapi and [...]

Men prepare their makeup before performong in the Jatilan, part of the Reok Ponorogo . The ancient Javanese custom has been around for centuries. All the girls come from Margo Tontro village in Sumber located around 3 k from Merapi. May 14, 2006. Photo by John Stanmeyer-VII

Merapi Erupting 7 k from the volcano. May 14, 2006. Photo by John Stanmeyer-VII