Crocodile Kills Man in Shock Kalimantan Attack, Shaman Gets Results

A small village in the Berau Regency of East Kalimantan has been left reeling after a crocodile dragged a local man into the river only for his body to return onshore following a shaman ritual. Syarifuddin, a 41-year- old man, was bathing with his friends in a river close to his village on Tuesday, July 18, when a two metre long crocodile dragged him into the waters. His friends notified local police and a search was carried out. A pawang buaya, or a shaman claiming powers of communication and control with crocodiles, was consulted to perform a calling ritual the following morning. In a video that quickly went viral, a crocodile appears to ‘respond’ to the call and drags Syarifuddin’s body back to shore. “The strange thing is there were three crocodiles that emerged in the river, as if they were guarding the victim’s body. It’s like they were dropping off the victim,” Talisayan District Police Chief Faisal Hamid said, as quoted by local media. “Crocodiles live in that river, and locals also regularly bathe there. It’s just bad luck that (Syarifuddin) was snapped by a crocodile. The right side of the victim’s torso was torn open,” Hamid said. Locals have suggested Syarifuddin had broken long-running tradition when it comes to bathing safely in the river, bringing the attack upon himself.

“If one bathes naked, they will be eaten by a crocodile. If they are clothed, they will not be attacked by a crocodile,” local man Eet said.