Malay and Javanese Islam

Continuing from last week's episode on Islam in Southeast Asia, in this podcast we take a closer look at the melding of Islam and folk religion in Javanese and Malay practices. We start with the story of famed Sufi saints like Sheikh Siti Jenar then examine the slametan feast as a ceremony that fuses Islam with local customs. We look at kejewen and the healing and mystical traditions that incorporate Sufism with the folk traditions and lore of Java. This leads us to an exploration of the cosmology and spiritualism of healing rituals. We spend some time on the spirits and ghosts of the land that endure and even the sex shrine of Mount Kemukas. Finally we talk about Malay folk stories like that of the mouse deer and crocodile as well as the shamans who fuse Islam with Malay folk remedies.