Indonesia's WILDEST Ritual: Kuda Lumping

Here in the village of Ngadas in Bromo, I think I just witnessed the most bizarre thing I've seen in Indonesia, or maybe in my entire life. This ritual is called Kuda Lumping. Kuda Lumping is a traditional Javanese dance originating from the story of Ronggo Lawe. Ronggolawe is considered a rebel of the Majapahit Kingdom, but for some people, particularly in Tuban, he was considered a hero. Kuda Lumping represents Ronggolawe's cavalry, with his horse, named Gagak Rimang. Dancers "ride" horses made from woven bamboo and decorated with colorful paints and cloth. Generally, the dance portrays troops riding horses, but another type of Kuda Lumping performance also incorporates trances and magic tricks. When the "possessed" dancer is performing the dance in trance conditions, he can display unusual abilities, such as eating glass and resistance to the effects of whipping or hot coals.