The Gagak Sate Pesugihan Ritual: A Mystical Practice in Javanese Culture
The Gagak Sate Pesugihan ritual is a mystical practice in Javanese culture that is believed to be an instant way to gain wealth through a pact with supernatural beings.
Although not as well-known as the Gunung Kawi or Babi Ngepet pesugihan.
This tradition has been passed down through oral stories from generation to generation.
The Gagak Sate Pesugihan is found in various regions, particularly in Java, such as Banyuwangi and Jember in East Java, and the coastal areas of Central Java. It is also found in mystical stories from Sulawesi to Sumatra. In 2023, the Tanjung Perak Port Police in Surabaya foiled the the smuggling of 51 black gagak birds intended for mystical rituals.
The Process of the Gagak Sate Pesugihan Ritual
In this practice, the practitioner must serve gagak sate to supernatural beings as an offering or supernatural transaction.
After slaughtering the gagak, the bird’s meat is processed into sate like a regular dish.
However, this sate is not sold at warungs or restaurants as usual. Instead, the sate burning process is carried out in places considered to have high supernatural energy, such as old cemeteries, haunted forests, or other sacred locations.
The implementation time is usually on nights believed to be when the veil between the real world and the supernatural realm is thin, such as Friday Kliwon or 1 Suro night.
What’s interesting and frightening is that the buyer of the sate is not human.
Various testimonies mention the appearance of supernatural beings such as Genderuwo, a large figure with thick fur and fangs, or Kuntilanak.
They are believed to come to “buy” the sate and pay with an unlimited amount, according to the practitioner’s request.
As a main requirement, the practitioner must carry out this ritual in a completely naked state, as a form of total surrender to the supernatural forces involved in the pact.
Inspired by this phenomenon
Cahaya Pictures presents the film “Pesugihan Sate Gagak”, an absurd mystical comedy about three friends who desperately seek money through supernatural means.
The film is directed by Komika Dono Pradana, in collaboration with Director Etienne Caesar.
"Through this film, I just want to say, life is absurd. Sometimes the darkest things can make us laugh; and it turns out, there is also a pesugihan whose sacrifice is not a human. Unlike other horror films that are filled with top artists, this film is filled with top ghosts from all over Indonesia," said Dono Pradana, the Director.
Dono Pradana is a comedian, broadcaster, and actor known for his East Java-style comedy approach.
His career started from the Stand Up Indo Surabaya community until he entered the top 14 of the Stand Up Comedy Academy on Indosiar.
His name became more well-known through the documentary series Bondo Wani (2019), and various roles in Yowis Ben the j series, Lara Ati, and Sekawan Limo.
Meanwhile, Etienne Caesar (EC) is a name that has been involved in various roles in the Indonesian film industry for a long time.
Starting in the industry since 2007, EC became the co-director of the film “Cinta Tak Seindah Drama Korea” that was released last year. EC added,
"Pesugihan has been part of our oral culture, but through this film, we see it from an absurd and humorous side. Because, yeah... something instant won't give maximum results. The creative process was also crazy — we wanted the audience to be scared and laugh at the same time."
