Baru di Bali

You might have heard it before, and now we’re reconfirming it: there’s never a day in Bali without a ceremony of any kind. Of course, it is not always obvious for visitors to really notice each of these daily-going-on ceremonies as many of them are held deep in the villages – only communal or family ceremonies. However, during certain times like big holidays or full moons, when all the Balinese Hindus across the island are flocking the temples and make their areas so colorful with many traditional decorations such as bamboo poles, the festivity of the religious merit becomes so apparent.

Another aspect that makes the ceremonies are somewhat endless is the respect and gratitude for life cycle (birth, puberty and even death) which the Balinese people translate in the forms of ceremonies. Yet, that is not all for the Balinese Hinduism is also influenced with animism traditions, where every living thing has a soul, and ancestor worship. This means, there are also ceremonies addressed for specific non-human objects or materials. We’re just going to cut the story short here – below is ten of the many ceremonies in Bali.

1. Gedong-gedongan

   This ceremony is carried out in the 8th month in Gregorian calendar (7th month in Balinese calendar) of pregnancy to ask blessings for an easy delivering process. Aside from that, this ceremony is aimed to appeal to the baby’s salvation to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (superior God) and is considered as an important ritual passage. One of the rituals in Gedong-gedongan is the pregnant woman and her husband wade into the river, where eels and small fishes are placed face down on her protruding belly to show the baby the right way out.

2. Menek Kelih

   Menek kelih means puberty; thus, this ceremony is held when children enter the puberty age, which is when a girl gets her period and boy’s voice cracks. They are paraded around the village announcing to all that they are now adults (and in the olden days, ready to marry). This ceremony also acts as a reminder for the teenagers of their next phase in the cycle, to shed the childish attitude and prepare for the challenges of adolescence. At this stage of life, as adolescents, they have to practice what is called with Trikaya Parisudha, which are the grounds for each individual to conduct nothing but good deeds in order to achieve nirvana. However, not all castes perform this ceremony.

3. Ngaben

   This is the ceremony for death. This ceremony is carried out to help the deceased’s soul free from worldly ties and carry on to the other world. The philosophy behind Ngaben is to return the five elements making up the microcosm of the human body to their original residence, the universe. The five elements, known as Panca Maha Bhuta, are the earth (pertivi), water (apah), fire (teja), air (bayu), and ether (akasa). Since the primordial dimension can only be attained through water and fire, the ashes are dispersed in the waters of the sea or if the distance is too far, in a river.

4. Galungan

   Galungan is the day when the Balinese Hindus celebrate the victory of justice and truth (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). This celebration lasts for ten days, and during that period of time it is believed that all the Balinese Gods will visit the Earth. In order to welcome and appease the Gods, ancestral temples are cleaned, special prayers and offerings are made, and dances are presented. Also, for ten days, the ancestors are feted in the family temples; many temple festivals occur at this time of year and there is great a feasting.

5. Kuningan

   Kuningan marks the end of Galungan, which is on the tenth day. Kuningan earns its name from special offerings of yellow rice. This is a day when families will gather, pray and lay yellow offerings because it is believed as the time when their ancestors return to heaven. However, most Kuningan celebrations take place in the privacy of the home, in the shrines of the family temple and house compound. The day after Kuningan is a time for a holiday, visiting, and having fun.

6. Saraswati

   The Balinese Hindus believe that knowledge plays a very important role in achieving the goal of life as human beings. Thus, they celebrate Sarawasti, a special day devoted to the Goddess of learning, science and literature. Saraswati rules the intellectual and creative realm, and is the patron saint of libraries and schools. Ceremonies and prayers are held at the temples in family compounds, villages and businesses from morning to noon. Prayers are also held in school temples. Children bring fruit and traditional cakes to school for offerings at the temple.

7. Odalan

   Odalan is a temple ceremony that usually lasts for three days –larger ones that occur every 5, 10, 30 or 100 years can last for 11 days or longer. The idea of this ceremony is to respect the deities that rule over the temple by giving them a myriad of offerings and music and dance performances. During the ceremony, the Balinese Hindus will 'invite' to come down from their dwelling on Mount Agung, the most sacred mountain in Bali, to partake in the activities.

8. Tumpek Kandang

   Tumpek Kandang is a celebration dedicated to Sang Hyang Rare Angon, the god of all cattle and livestock. On this day Balinese show their appreciation and thankfulness to all domesticated animals (such as cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs and birds) that help them in everyday life. On this day, ceremonies will be held and domesticated animals in Bali receive a great attention: the cows are washed in the river and dressed-up like human beings, with special cone-shaped spiral of coconut leaf placed on their horns; the pigs are decorated, with their bellies wrapped with a white or yellow cloth. They will afterwards be fed the best food.

9. Tumpek Landep

   Tumpek Landep is the day when the Balinese Hindus hold ceremonies dedicated to the Sanghyang Pasupati, the God of steel implements especially the weapon that has been invested with magical power. On this day Balinese show their gratitude to the god all the steel implements that make Balinese life easier and safer. Traditionally, on this day tools and family heirlooms of weaponry, such as sacred swords or known as keris (double-edged dagger with wavy blade), are sanctified. But as the time passed a great change occur in celebration of this holyday.

10. Tumpek Pengatag

    Tumpek Pengatag is a special ceremony devoted to the god of all food. On this day, ceremonies will be held in every plantation and farm throughout the island to bless all plants to give human beings good crops and products. The Balinese Hindus pay a great honor to the plants and trees because they provide the breath of earth, oxygen, fruits, leave, food and cool breeze.