The Concept of Kempel in Mantram Reciting Found in Ruwatan Murwakala

Ruwatan rite usually held by Javanese people until today is the realization of cultural laku (behavior), believed to be an attempt of avoiding an individual from disaster threat portended. This article aims at describing the elements consisted in the process of reciting mantram in Ruwatan Murwakala with its magical power. This is a descriptive qualitative research using interview, observation and library study. The research finds that the reciting of mantram in ruwatan performance has magical power if there is Kempel or unity between the elements of its formation and its functions such as the way of mantram/mantra pronunciation, the music applied, the silence built by dhalang (puppeteer) ruwat and the use of properties during the performance like burning the incense, low sound using, and the figure of dalang ruwat with his spiritual competence.