Dukuns

Dukuns are traditional spiritual practitioners in Indonesia and parts of Southeast Asia, commonly referred to in Indonesian as dukun. The term denotes a range of roles, from healers and diviners to ritual specialists, who operate outside formal medical and religious institutions. Dukuns may be sought for physical and mental ailments believed to have spiritual causes, to perform talismanic protection, or to conduct rites related to birth, marriage, death, and community disputes. They often combine herbal knowledge with ritual practices, charms, incantations, and divination tools. Practice varies by region and community; some dukuns adhere to syncretic beliefs blending Islam with indigenous animist and Hindu-Buddhist elements, while others align more closely with local adat customs.

In contemporary Indonesia, dukuns occupy a contested space. For many residents of rural areas they remain an accessible form of care and cultural authority, while in urban settings they may be perceived as traditional or superstitious. The activities of dukuns can range from benign healing and guidance to accusations of fraud or coercion, including alleged use of black magic or santet. Because there is no state licensing for traditional healers, regulation and oversight are uneven, and law enforcement responses to criminal allegations vary by jurisdiction.

Scholars view dukuns as part of the wider spectrum of non-formal health, spiritual, and social care in Southeast Asia, illustrating how communities navigate illness, misfortune, and social cohesion within local belief systems.