Page 104 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

massage has been introduced to the country as an increasing number of

Indonesians train overseas. However, among the old school masseurs, the term
‘Swedish massage’ is often derogatory and used to describe the efforts of a
masseur who has learned skills in a school rather than by apprenticeship or
hands-on experience. True Swedish massage does exist but the newcomer to
massage treatments ought to determine exactly what type of massage is being
offered before treatment.

Massage in Indonesia
Massage comes from the Greek massein, to knead, and the Arabic mass, to press
gently. For the Westerner, the word conjures up images of aromatic oils and
rhythmic movement, lulling mind and body into a sense of warmth and security.
This notion corresponds with the idea of a Western Swedish massage, whose
goal is to tone and relax the body or assist healing in sport-induced injuries.
However, this is not what the average Indonesian understands by massage.
Massage in Indonesia is usually associated with helping the body rid itself of
disease, regain its inherent health, and ensure an ongoing state of good health.
Indonesian massage experts happily use methods that would horrify their
Western counterparts, though their techniques can effectively remove the
appearance of varicose veins and other undesirables.

Two traditional types of massage are practised: pijat and urut. The word
pijat means massage in Indonesian, while urut means massage in Javanese. pijat
is the ubiquitous massage (it is also the name for a masseur), and is very
relaxing. In its most basic form, it is known as cape, a massage that is widely
practised in the village and consists of a simple, repetitive squeezing movement
of the flesh between the fingers and palm of the hand. urut is more specialized
and is usually used for the treatment of bone fractures. urut treatments are
considered halus, meaning refined or smooth: fluidity and gentleness are the
hallmarks of this massage.

Training and Work
Massage skills are usually passed from master to pupil, although in Java it is also
taught at centres set up to promote traditional healing and massage, encourage

correct technique, and enhance understanding of the therapy. Martina Berto and
Mustika Ratu have begun such official massage courses. A student can expect to
master basic massage skills in three to six weeks, but must enrol in a year’s
course for pijat or urut. At grassroots level, the elderly pijat (masseur) ‘trains’ a
student using an intuitive method. Tips, such as the types of illness that do not
respond well to massage; when massage should not be used; and when a masseur