Boti
Article and photography by Peter Hemenway
Chief of Boti, Benu lived to be 110 years old
The former chief of Boti, Benu passed away in 2005 but lived to be 110 years old. He had two sons and a daughter and appointed the youngest son to be the new chief, though the son had to wait until he had a message from a spirit before being eligible for the new chief position, (though he has presided over the village since the death of his father)
The younger son (also referred to as Benu) three months ago, before our arival had a powerful dream one night and the next day while in the farm area of the village saw a bird that he had never seen before. Upon seeing the bird he started to feel crazy and then became sick. He was taken to his fathers’ graveyard where he remained for a week and got better during this period.
It was determined that the bird was the signal that he was ready to be the new leader, and now a month long party was being arranged to accompany officials, villagers and other guests from around Indonesia to celebrate the new chief and his position.The party is to begin sometime in September when the new Benu will be appoint officials as the chief of Boti.
Since seeing the bird he has already developed super natural powers. He had a dream the night before I arrived at the village that I was coming with two others and had told the village people the next day that there would be three visitors and to prepare for our visit . We had not contacted him before!
Traditional house seen on the way
Road to Boti village
The gate to the outer area of Boti
Five hundred families (about 2000 people) live in the outer Boti area. Most of the residences of the outer Boti have conformed to Protestant religion where as in the inner Boti village the traditional animists’ ways of living are followed.
Arriving at the inner area of Boti, where 70 families (about 300 people) live
It was about an hour by motorbike on dirt roads before we entered the outer Boti and then we came to the inner Boti village were we were greeted by waiting staff, whom then also informed Benu that that the three guests had arrived.
Benu, the leader of the village whom is 39 will become formally the new 28th King of Boti in a few weeks
Mashing corn in preparation for the celebration of party
The future chief, Benu came to look at the liver of a freshly butchered goat. Apparently he is able to tell from looking at the liver of the goat if the party will go well.
Cotton is grown and spun in the village
Benu has vowed to keep the village traditional and has refused offerings of large moneys from politicians to change.
The people generally have a long life span of about 80- 90 years.If they got sick they would go to the chief and the chief would pray and they would then get better.
Men carrying hollowed bamboo to collect water at the nearby lake
There is a small lake in the area and I was told there is a snake in it, something like a python and the Boti people regard the snake as an ancestor They feed the snake cows.