Every year, members of the Tengger tribe gather at the top of this volcano.hoping to please their gods.
Slamet, a 40-year-old farmer who, like many Indonesians, goes by only one name, brought a calf as an offering.
“It is an act of gratitude to God for giving us prosperity. We give it back to God so we can come back here next year,” he told AFP.
The lamb for the moment was lucky and was offered to a villager after prayers, instead of being thrown into the volcano.
Some non-Tengger villagers took to the steep slopes of the crater equipped with nets in an attempt to intercept the offerings thrown into the chasm and prevent them from going to waste.
Farmer Joko Priyanto brought some of his produce, mostly cabbages and carrots, to throw into the smoking crater.
“I hope to receive a reward from Almighty God“said the 36-year-old man.
This ritual has its roots in the 15th century folklore of the Majapahit kingdom, a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist empire that spanned Southeast Asia.
Legend has it that Princess Roro Anteng and her husband, unable to have children after years of marriage, begged the gods for help.
Their prayers were answered and they were promised 25 children, provided they agreed to sacrifice their youngest son by throwing him into Mount Bromo.
It is said that his son willingly jumped into the volcano to ensure the prosperity of the Tengger people.