The Indonesian village of Kaboh has finally turned into a haunted place of ghosts, as creatures dressed entirely in white jump, surprising pedestrians and then hiding under full moonlight.
But this is not supernatural. The local authorities have deployed these ghosts to patrol the streets, in the hope that the old myths will keep the residents in their homes safe, away from the emerging Corona virus.
"We wanted to be different, and make a deterrent effect, because (Bokong) is frightening and terrifying," said the village youth team leader, Anjar Pankanengaitias, who coordinated with the police on this unconventional initiative to promote social distancing, in light of the outbreak.
Usually the ghost of the shroud known as "Bokong" is completely wiped with white, and its face is pale thanks to white powders, while the darkening of the kohl surrounds his eyes. In Indonesian folk culture, this ghost represents the souls of the dead dead. But when those ghosts began to appear this month, they had the opposite effect. Instead of keeping people in their homes, they took out some of them who were curious, to see this rare "appearance".
The organizers have since changed their style, Bokong patrols have become sudden, and village volunteers are playing ghosts.
"The residents are still not aware of the ways to curb the spread of (Covid-19), they want to practice their life affairs as usual, so it is difficult for them to stay at home," said Priyadi, the village leader.