Indonesians turn to mystics in search of missing tsunami victims

[Dover]

Indonesians turn to mystics in search of missing tsunami victims

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) - Tengku Jafar sways and moans the name of God dips the blade of his wooden-handled knife into a freshly blessed bottle of mineral water and makes the pronouncement that Fatimah has been waiting to hear: Some of her 11 missing relatives are still alive.
Survivors of the tsunami have scoured refugee camps and morgues, placed ads in newspapers and posted fliers on storefronts and telephone poles in search of the more than 12,000 still missing from the disaster in Aceh province, the hardest-hit area of all the shorelines ringing the Indian Ocean.

Having exhausted all means in the mortal realm, people here are turning to the world beyond and consulting mystics, who are a part of life here, despite Aceh being one of Indonesia's most conservative Muslim regions.

Locals call them "dukun," meaning someone possessed by black magic, or even use the English word "paranormal."

Many people here already shun medical doctors in favor of treatment by faith healers for ailments from simple aches to broken bones...cont'd

http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/wed/jan19w6.htm

[cliss]

1. I've read that the Thais are superstitious.

So this would make sense. And really, if I had lost a loved one, I would probably turn to a psychic for answers. I have a lot more faith in them, than the authorities.

I just feel so bad for them. And I don't believe they are possessed by black magic, like the locals say.

For a world that is simply unable to answer the questions about what has happened to our loved ones, psychics fill a very important role. We are lucky to have them.