On November 4, 2024, Indonesia’s Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupted, tragically claiming ten lives and affecting 10,000 residents across six villages (CNN). This marks Indonesia’s second volcanic eruption in just two weeks, following Mount Marapi’s eruption on October 27, 2024.
Lewotobi Laki-laki is one of Indonesia’s 120 active volcanoes, situated in a nation of over 280 million people. Located along the Ring of Fire, Indonesia is highly susceptible to natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and heightened tectonic activity. According to the USGS, the country has experienced more than 150 earthquakes with magnitudes exceeding seven between 1901 and 2019 (Wikipedia).
Due to Indonesia’s frequent natural disasters, the Indonesian National Military (TNI) often acts as a primary disaster response team, establishing public kitchens and deploying medical personnel to support victims of volcanic eruptions (Santoso). While much of this assistance is reactive, the government also implements proactive measures, such as early warning systems for volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and earthquakes, aimed at facilitating timely evacuations to save lives. However, despite these warnings, many Indonesians make the conscious decision to say. What compels them to make this choice?
Approximately 175 million people in Indonesia live within 60 miles of a volcano. This proximity not only endangers their lives and livelihoods but also fosters a unique and complex relationship between Indonesians and the volcanoes around them (Brown).
The volcanoes provide fertile soil, with eruptions enriching the earth with magnesium and potassium that act as natural fertilizers (British Geological Survey). These nutrients increase crop yields, strengthening Indonesia’s agricultural economy. This agricultural foundation also supports livestock farming, deepening many Indonesians’ connection to their land. Consequently, when evacuation orders are issued, many find it challenging to leave, unwilling to abandon their livelihoods (Brown).
As volcanoes sustain the livelihoods of many Indonesians, a deep spiritual connection to the surrounding land emerges. The British Geological Survey provides that “volcanic communities often have a very strong bond with ‘their’ volcano and assign strong symbolic meanings to their environment.” This connection encourages many Indonesians to remain in their precarious locations; some Javanese believe that, as the mountains provide them with everything, it is only natural for the mountains to eventually reclaim their lives (Brown).
The eruption of Lewotobi Laki-laki was devastating, but for local Indonesian communities, it was just another day. From an outsider’s perspective, we can question why Indonesians continue to live near these volatile volcanoes, enduring constant uncertainty and risk. However, this Western lens is one disregards the deep economic and spiritual connections that Indonesians maintain with the mountains around them.