"Debus" The Mystical Art Performing

Debus existed for more then hundred years. It came as Islam's teaching started to spread in Banten.

Islam's was introduced by sunan gunung jati, one of the founders of sultanate of Cirebon in 1520, the expedition along with the peaceful conquest of Sunda Kelapa.

Then, when the power is held by the Sultan of Banten Ageng Tirtayasa (1651-1682), Debus focused as a tool to evoke the spirit of the warriors in the fight against Dutch colonial traders joined in Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie (VOC).

In Arabic language, Debus has the meaning of metal-based sharp weapon. It has a round - like pointed edge. Using this kind of tools the "player(s)" of Debus are usually being hit numerous time without having any injuries. these are common attraction you can see in a debus performance: Piercing a person's stomach using sharp objects or a spear, Slicing a person's body using a long dagger with or without leaving any scar, literally eating a flaming firewood, piercing long needles through skin, tongue, and between cheeks without staining any blood. More over they slice certain part of their body until they bleed, but instantaneously healed. They also "bathe" themselves with acid leaving their clothes deteriorate, but their skin and body aren't damaged at all. Sometimes they chomp pieces of glasses and some other razor-sharp objects.