A Ghost Story from Reba

Among the spirits transitioning to eternal peace, Radu Sinuraya returns to Reba, burdened by unresolved matters. Sumarni, his sister-in-law, faces a dilemma following his return as they both grapple with unfinished questions from the past.

SYNOPSIS

For the Karo people, death is not an end but a passage to a different dimension of existence. Humans are believed to consist of two essential components: tendi (soul) and begu (spirit). The tendi is tied closely to physical life, while the begu is the eternal essence. Upon death, the begu embarks on a spiritual journey towards nirvana, known as malem, while the tendi remains in the cosmos, inhabiting places like fields and the surrounding environment. To the Karo, a field does not solely mean a land for farming, but it also represents the core of their small universe where spirituality and livelihood intertwine.

Amidst the spirits journeying to malem, Radu Sinuraya returns to earth, weighed down by lingering concerns. He returns to Reba, where he encounters his sister-in-law, Sumarni br Ginting. Sumarni has long lived as a farmer, inheriting a piece of land from Radu before his death—a token of gratitude for Sumarni’s willingness to take care of him during his illness. This land was Sumarni’s hope for a better life, but after Radu’s passing, the once fertile and bountiful land became barren. Despite Sumarni’s loving care, the land yielded nothing, leaving her disheartened and struggling even more.

Throughout her confusion, Sumarni often feels Radu’s presence. She begins to realize that unfinished business remains after Radu’s death. Their encounters revolve around unresolved matters. Sumarni remembers that the family did not prepare a Persirangen umbrella for Radu—a traditional farewell symbol in Bunuraya village for the deceased. Determined to help Radu, Sumarni vows to guide him in a quest in finding harmony and peace for both the living and the dead.

A Ghost Story from Reba explores the connection between humans and the spiritual world, particularly through the contextual approach of Karo culture. The film follows Radu Sinuraya’s journey to malem as he returns to earth, and Sumarni, his living sister-in-law. Their internal struggles, caught between life and death, form the core of the story. The film reveals the meaning of life, death, and finding peace with the past.

I have a grandfather whom I have never met. In fact, I have no memory of him at all. Everyone always told me that my grandfather was a very great and respected person even until the end of his life. After my grandfather’s death, my family still believed that the tendi (spirit) of my grandfather stayed in our house and participated in the same activities as us. Until one day, I began to doubt this belief.

I began to investigate where this belief came from. I met a Karo cultural figure who told me that this was an indigenous belief of the Karo people called pamena. However, pamena’s belief has been slowly eroding since colonialism invaded the land of Karo. Indirectly, the concept of pamena’s belief is blended with the religions adopted by the Karo people today.

The story of Tendi has always held a very personal place for me. I met Sumarni during my ongoing study of pamena’s belief system. Sumarni believes that the spirit of her brother-in-law Radu Sinuraya continues to reside within their homes and farms, even actively participating in their daily lives. This powerful concept is the central theme of the film, which shows the profound impact that a person can have on others even after they are gone. Sumarni embodies the importance of achieving malem (peace) for both the living and the spirits. Her efforts to help Radu find closure align with the universal human desire to find peace with the past.

This documentary is a call to embrace ancestral wisdom and strive for harmony within ourselves, our families and communities. It is a reminder that the past continues to shape the present and that finding peace with those who are gone is essential to our personal well-being.