Witch-Hunt and Conspiracy: 
The ‘Ninja Case’ in East Java

By Nicholas Herriman

A fascinating book on ninjas and sorcerers in East Java, from rising young scholar Nick Herrimann. Lots of rich, detailed local research in Banyuwangi, full of insights, and Herriman provides a most useful analysis of the workings of local societies under great stress. — Professor David Reeve

This book brings unique insight and prize-winning analysis to an extraordinary story – that of a witch-hunt and ‘ninja’ craze that swept a region of Java, Indonesia, in 1998. When neighbours, family members and friends believed that one among them was a sorcerer, this suspicion would sometimes culminate in the death of the suspect. In 1998, these sporadic killings turned into an outbreak of violence. Muslim organisations attributed the escalation of these killings to political conspirators, alleging that squads of ‘ninjas’ were responsible. A paramilitary group (Banser NU) began preparing and training for an onslaught of further violence, while anxious residents throughout East Java established road-side guards. Dozens of suspected ninjas were caught and some were tortured and killed.

Using first-hand accounts, Herriman provides these events with a detailed context and history and analyses their development in terms of the interplay of national institutions and local culture and dynamics.

About this book

Publisher:Monash University Publishing

Publication date: 20 November 2014

Format: Paperback Pages: tbc Dimensions: 153mm wide by 234mm high

Weight: 0.50kg

ISBN 978-1-922235-51-0 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-922235-52-7 (online)