KKN Di Desa Penari: A Haunting Tale of Folklore and Sacrifice

 

La Liberte de Meira

Life demands courage, no bargaining. The journey is treacherous, yet exhilarating. This perfectly encapsulates the winding path of a group of young adults, applying their academic knowledge to serve the community through the KKN (Kuliah Kerja Nyata) program.

The sun sank in a chain of anxieties, refracting into the fiery glow of the screen after darkness swallowed the outside world. In the chilled air of the cinema, the atmosphere grew goosebump-inducing. Yesterday, I finally succumbed to my curiosity and decided to witness the performance of the film that, they say, conquered the box office in 2022 - KKN in Dancer's Village. Standing behind a friend, attempting to enter the theatre, a question suddenly invaded my mental space, whispering softly within: "Why am I here?"

As I observed the scene around me, my head instantly ached. Being someone who thrives in serenity and calmness, my mind and chest tightened at the sight of the enthusiastic crowd exchanging money for tickets and jostling to navigate the queue towards the door where the film would be revealed.

Once inside the cinema, the urge to pump my adrenaline and embrace the discomfort of the unknown began to challenge my reactive and emotional nature. The film screen flickered to life, and the sensation of a pounding heart commenced. It seemed KKN in Dancer's Village evoked a symphony of varied expressions. I saw faces beaming with delight as the screen displayed sweet, romantic scenes. Others, however, shut their eyes tight when a shocking scene unfolded, seemingly pumping their hearts into an erratic rhythm, startled by the sight of a dancing serpent slithering around Widia.

Enter Badarahuwi, the enigmatic djinn, a shapeshifting entity thirsting for warm blood. A queen of control, she sets her sights on the innocent souls of Widia and Nur, two students partaking in the KKN program in the village of dancers. Badarahuwi is portrayed as the source of the haunting Sinden chants that mislead Bima and Ayu, who fall prey to her cunning and commit a forbidden act in the forest. Legend has it that she's the ruler of sacred land, once cursed and banished by the protectors of the South Sea coast. Now, she acts with malice, possessing the body of a dancer. Thus, she is recognized and feared as the ruler of the dancers' village.

Thousands of seconds flew by, the film's performance eliciting a spectrum of emotional responses, from fear to empathy. Personally, I was only partially satisfied with the story's ending, where two of the six KKN friends lost their lives due to their pact with the djinn. Instead, I yearned for a different ending, a plot twist where Badarahuwi's reign of terror would cease, and the village could finally reclaim its peace from the torment of the djinn. This would allow the remaining friends to rebuild their lives and foster stronger bonds with neighbouring villages.

However, one lesson resonates deeply. Regardless of circumstance, it is our duty as humans to maintain awareness and respect for the beliefs and traditions of our ancestors. We must not act with arrogance on any land, under any sky. KKN in Dancer's Village isn't merely a showcase of terrifying experiences for six friends; it's a profound tapestry woven with messages of faith, obedience to rules and prohibitions, and the importance of distancing ourselves from tyranny and cultivating good relationships with fellow humans, acknowledging the unseen presence of the divine and the universe.