Dangdut and Mysticism Culture in Indramayu Prostitution As Represented in Telembuk, a Novel by Kedung Darma

This article explores dangdut and mystical culture in prostitution which is represented in Telembuk, a novel with Indramayu prostitution background. Indramayu is one of the cities with the highest number of sex workers in Indonesia. Poverty, low education, lack of roles of parents and society in children's education, hopelessness in life and conflict with partners are some of the factors that cause women to fall into the world of prostitution. Commercial sex workers are oppressed not only by men (pimps, bosses, or lovers), but also women (sex mentors). What is unique in the life of prostitution in Indramayu is that commercial sex workers use magic and dangdut to commerce themselves. Commercial sex workers use mystical rituals as taught by shamans (who are also their sex mentors). The profession as a dangdut singer is a cover for commercial sex workers. Prostitution and dangdut activities are usually done at night. In this case, dangdut and mystical beliefs also strengthen the capitalist power of the body of commercial sex workers in Indramayu. The position of commercial sex workers in Indramayu is biased: on the one hand they are hated by society, on the other hand they are used as entertainers