Peramal

Peramal is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to describe a person who predicts future events or interprets fate. The word derives from ramal, meaning to foretell, with the agentive suffix -al, forming an occupational noun that denotes a practitioner of divination.

Practices attributed to peramal vary widely and may include palmistry, astrology, dream interpretation, numerology, tea leaf reading, or other forms of divinatory methods. In everyday usage, a peramal may offer personal readings for clients in markets, at fairs, in private consultations, or through contemporary channels such as online services. In literature and popular culture, peramals are often depicted as figures who provide guidance or warnings about potential futures, sometimes blending traditional beliefs with local customs.

Cultural and social context surrounding peramals is diverse. Some communities value traditional or spiritual guidance provided by peramals, while others approach fortune-telling with skepticism or view it as entertainment. In many jurisdictions, practitioners are subject to consumer protection laws and commercial regulations to address misrepresentation or fraud, as with other service professions.

Related terms include ramal (the verb “to foretell”), ramalan (prophecy or prediction), and meramal (to forecast or foretell). Distinctions also exist with other roles such as dukun, which can refer to a shamanic or ritual specialist, and tukang ramal, a more general term for a fortune teller.