Forged by Fire

Resilience and Ritual on Mount Merapi.

Written by Rahel Stephanie
Edited by Sabrina Citra
Photographs by Boy T Harjanto

Indonesia is an archipelago built on fire; written in its belonging to the Pacific Ring of Fire. More than 130 active volcanoes span its islands, each forging a unique bond with the people who live at its feet. Mount Merapi stands as a formidable presence — one that has, for c…