Mount Merapi, or ‘Fire Mountain’ in Java Indonesia, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, is on the verge of eruption.

As many as 30,000 villagers, who abandoned their homes after taking note of the warnings of experts and government officials, are now retuning to their residence on the slopes of the mountain. It is reported that they are unconvinced by scientific evidence and are basing their decision on what they refer to as spirits from the mountain.

Ninety percent of the nation’s 220 million citizens are devout Muslims; however, the people living around the mountain almost retain animist beliefs and believe the mountain provides for them. These particular Muslims have been known to dance naked in circles in order to appease the spirits and prevent the volcanoes’ eruption.

They see the mountain as a sort of benevolent deity and are not thoroughly convinced that it could erupt and kill them. A 300-ft. lava dome is developing in the mountain which could cause a major disaster if it collapses. However, the villagers responded that the spirits have told them ‘not this time’ and they have begun returning to harvest their crops.