jfid – Tuyul, a supernatural creature taking the form of a child, has long been one of the most popular legends in Indonesia.
Believed to be nurtured to steal money, this myth has adorned folk tales from generation to generation.
However, is it true that Tuyul can steal money? And why does Tuyul only target ordinary houses rather than places with abundant money like banks?
To answer these questions, we need to trace the roots and evolution of the Tuyul story in Indonesia.
It turns out, Tuyul does not originate from native Indonesian myths, but rather is an adaptation of Javanese mythological stories that have circulated since ancient times.
According to research by renowned cultural experts, Suwardi Endraswara, Tuyul is depicted as a supernatural being that roams from house to house to steal valuable items such as money, jewelry, or important documents.
Believed to be an ally of demons, Tuyul is often fostered by individuals obsessed with wealth.
Stories about Tuyul began to spread in Indonesia around 1870, when economic policies shifted from forced cultivation to economic liberalization.
However, ironically, this change did not bring prosperity to everyone. Instead, small farmers in Java were marginalized by the seizure of land by the colonial government for the benefit of large plantations.
Meanwhile, a handful of traders, both native and Chinese, emerged as a new wealthy class thanks to these policies.
This situation bred jealousy and dissatisfaction among the marginalized farmers. They could not understand how the traders could become so rich in seemingly unjust ways.
In their mystical view, these farmers blamed the wealthy traders for fostering Tuyul, supernatural beings believed to be able to steal money magically.
These accusations not only tarnished the reputation of the traders but also made them cautious about displaying their wealth.
However, in reality, Tuyul cannot perform thefts in places like banks. Why is that?
Because money in banks is not physical but stored in digital form in computer systems. The same goes for e-money balances that require a complex transaction process.
In conclusion, the story of Tuyul is merely a myth born out of the ignorance and jealousy of society towards sudden prosperity.
There is no real or scientific evidence supporting the existence or abilities of Tuyul.
Nevertheless, this story remains an intriguing part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage worth exploring.
