Javanese know a tradition called "ngenger". Maybe if you are not Javanese, you will rarely hear this word. Even though in fact it is a tradition that I think is extraordinary. I will tell you a little about ngenger.
According to Javanese philosophy, success can only be obtained if we approach people who have obtained the degree of success. So, in the past, people in the villages in Central Java were there if they wanted to succeed, he would come to the house of a successful person to experience terror. With hope, one day he will be able to follow the success of "Bendoro" or the person he follows.
The person who underwent horror, really gave his life to Bendoro. His relationship at a glance is similar between employer and servant. Even between employers and slaves. Pengenger gave in and sincerely to Bendoro, while in return for his loyalty, Bendoro provided an opportunity for Pengenger to change his destiny.
When traced back to Javanese stories. Terrible behavior is carried out by the rulers of the land of Java, before they get success. For example, the Damarwulan figure, who underwent horror to Patih Majapahit. Or Jaka Tingkir who is afraid of Sultan Trenggana. Later Jaka Tingkir succeeded in reigning in the Pajang sultanate as Sultan of Hadiwijaya. Stories like this give inspiration to Javanese people in the village, who want to succeed, to do terror.
Indeed there is a lot of controversy surrounding the horror. Modern Javanese people even tend to look negative at ngenger. Because it has a very feudal impression and does not respect the rights of Pengenger. But apart from that, there are actually many values that we can learn from ngenger, for example:
Loyalty. If you have a bad behavior, you must be totally loyal to your Bendoro. In the broadest sense. All energy and thought was given to Bendoro, in accordance with the orders given by Bendoro. You can't be ambivalent, or suspicious, your loyalty is only for Bendoro. This is to show that you fully believe that Bendoro will show you the way. Even your loyalty cannot be bought with money. Because the perpetrators don't even have to expect compensation. Being accepted for fear alone has an opportunity for them to succeed. So in ngenger, disgrace asked Bendoro. Later rewards will be picked when the offender has managed to move up the level to become a new Bendoro.
Patience. Ngenger is actually a means for Bendoro to galvanize and test his apprentice. Then patience and sincerity are the key to the success of the harasser. One of the restrictions in the ngenger tradition is, "nggersula" or nagging. Whatever the order given by Bendoro, pengenger must hold the principle: listen and follow. In fact, sometimes the ngenger process goes on for a long time, because Bendoro sees that the terrorist has not deserved to go up the level, so the pengenger must be very practicing to maintain his patience.
Discipline. Ngenger is a learning opportunity directly from people who have succeeded. So here it takes very strong discipline from the terrorists to obey what Bendoro ordered. The pattern of learning in the practice of terror is direct practice, not theories. The painter can immediately observe Bendoro's habits, how Bendoro makes decisions and acts. Thus the apprentice will have enough experience if later Bendoro sees that he has enough knowledge to hold greater responsibilities. Without discipline, it would be difficult to be afraid to become a Bendoro.
You must be wondering right away? If in modern times, this horror is similar to "apprentice"? Yes, it feels very similar to apprentice. However, far more than that. Having a bad behavior has certain protocols that cannot be violated. The loyalty protocol, patience and discipline were among them. This is what has been difficult to do in modern times, all of which want this "instant result". Ngenger not so.
Among successful Javanese businessmen, the phenomenon of ngenger is actually also found. These entrepreneurs receive new arrivals every year from the village. They will gradually be selected as a handful of people who have loyalty, patience and discipline more than others. If the time arrives, the selected picker will be given the opportunity to run his own business.
Don't consider it easy. You don't necessarily have to endure being a harasser. talk about payment. Ordered arbitrarily, scolded, has become a daily food for the frightened. There was my late uncle who was successful as a businessman, he was known firmly and loudly to relatives who were at home. According to him, if he just can't stand it, how do you want to succeed in business?
But if you pass the exam in ngenger, the rewards given by Bendoro are access to all that Bendoro has. Starting from business, power, friendship networks, kinship, even if you are lucky, marriage. Yes, there are many cases where pengenger finally married Bendoro's child.
So, if you were given the opportunity to choose the most successful people in the world, who would you want to be afraid of? But ... are you ready to pay the price?