The missing factor in Disaster Risk Reduction. Identifying the cultural factors which influence the effectiveness of Disaster Risk Reduction in the community area of Mt. Merapi

Abstract

Indonesia has a long history of disasters which has been documented in the chronicles since the early 8th century. Local people living on the slopes of Mt. Merapi in the region of Central Java are one of the many Indonesian communities which live near the source of hazard. They consider disasters as part of their everyday life and their experience of disasters has been passed down through generations. In general, the research on the relation between culture and risk remains limited because of the challenges which arise during the analysis of intangible components of culture. Therefore, this research identifies the components of culture and their influence on the effectiveness of DRR in the area of Mt. Merapi. In order to collect the data a fieldwork was conducted in cooperation with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta. With the help of a student assistant from UGM three types of respondents were interviewed – local people living on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, scientists from UGM and employees of provincial and local Disaster Management Agencies (BPBDs). The results of this research demonstrate that in case of the local people living in the area of Mt. Merapi local beliefs, ceremonies, legends and myths, together with local knowledge, social cohesion, networks and values facilitate the effectiveness of DRR in the area of Mt. Merapi. On the other hand, local beliefs, ceremonies and rituals, together with risk perception and local values impede the effectiveness of DRR in the area of Mt. Merapi. Therefore, this research shows that the cultural factors of a local community could operate both, as facilitators and barriers to an effective DRR. Local beliefs regarding Mt. Merapi as a mother, a gift or a sacred place, ceremonies and rituals performed by the Kraton of Yogyakarta and local people to show their respect to Mt. Merapi, and core values such as respect for and trust in a juru kunci , operate as facilitators and barriers to an effective DRR in the area of Mt. Merapi.