Bali Culture's
The culture's of Bali is unique. People said that the Balinese people have reached self-content.
NGABEN CREMATION OF THE DEAD
Usually, group cremation are held in order to share the expense and the labor revolved. Between death and cremation the body is buried in the cemetery, or, in the case of wealthy person whose family can arrange a cremation more quickly, the body lies in state in the family compound. During this time the soul of the deceased is thought to be agitated, longing for release. An auspicious day for the cremation is chosen by a pedanda, or priest, after conculting the Balinese calendar.
Preparations begin long before the appointed day. Each family builds a large tower of bamboo and paper, extravagantly painted according to the caste and wealth of the deceased, on a large bamboo platform. A magnificent, brightly colored, life size bull is also constructed of bamboo and plaster. On the morning of the cremation relatives and friends of the deceased visit the house of pay their last respect, and are richly entertained and fed by the family. At midday the body is whisked out of the house and carried, with the tower and bull, to the graveyard by members of the dead man’s banjar.
This becomes a loud, noisy, boisterous procession, designed to confuse the soul of the deceased so that it wiil lose its way and not be able to return to the family compound, where it could cause mischief. At the cremation ground the body is put into the belly of the bull. A priest officiates at the last rites, and then the fires are lit. after the burning, another raucous procession begins, carrying the ashes to the sea or the local river, where they are thrown to the wind. This represents the cleansing and disposal of the material body, and is cause for singing and laughing in the procession.
Later, there are private ceremonies for the care of the soul is believed to be reborn. The status of reborn soul relates to the person’s karma, or his conduct in previous lives. In general, the Balinese feel that the soul is reborn within the same circle of blood relations. This cycle of death and re-birth is the cause of the Balinese reference for ancestors. Every Balinese knows that one day he will be an ancestor, whose long passage through the other world must be expedited and cared for it if he is to return to his beloved island of Bali.
NYEPI DAY, THE BALINESE SILENCE
Celebrating the Hindu’s New Year of Saka in Bali has the deepest meaning of all. After all the glitters and shower of light throughout the year in hundreds of places of interest in the isle, the call for reborn should come in quiet and peaceful rhyme.
Nyepi comes in the ninth month of the Saka year and mostly takes place in March or in the beginning of April.
First is the principle called Amati Geni. People are not allowed to set lights and fire for the whole day, that includes not burning or setting a stove on, and they can’t cook for meals. Along with this purpose, they abstain from eating and drinking for 24 hours. In deeper reflection, this symbolizes turning the fire off in the five senses of the soul, along with any unscrupulous emotions. It brings up the other sensitivity from within one’s spirit, and it enhances the quality of life.
The other actions of turning down corporal dealings are; not doing any work at all which is called Amati Karya, not going anywhere (Amati Lelungan), and avoiding any entertainment forms (Amati Lelanguan).
On Nyepi Day, the Hindus stay at home, but they are not supposed to listen to the radio, watch TV, speak to each other, answer telephones, or take in guests. Instead, they should lay and meditate in darkness, or have prayers at their own pura called merajan (little house-shrine in the front part of the home) to work out on the inner part of their spiritual life.
It is very quiet on the street and it is impossible to go anywhere even for other communities who are exempt from the rite. The Ngurah Rai International Airport and all harbor accesses to Bali are closed. The airport will only allow overfly flights, transfer, or emergency landing, while public services such as hospitals and transportations for the sick and other emergency cases will be on the restricted judgment of village chiefs.
As a lot of visitors could not do anything else in the island, they will have to stay in the hotel and find their own activities day.
The Hindus in Bali are strongly religious. All ages, except babies seem to be wholeheartedly bound to the observance of the prayer. Women wear kebaya and have their hair twisted while men appear in white with udang (traditional headdress) on their head. They will march under golden yellow sunshades which are meant for ritual ceremonies.
To set up the execution of Catur Brata Penyepian, all figures of worship and sacred utensils must be cleaned up to the oceans in Melis or Melasti ceremony. Upon the cleaning, Melasti is aimed to wash up human soul from dirt and sins. The Hindus believe that it is the power of nature that will take all the agony and refresh the soul. It is important to sip something from the ocean, that ocean is full of waves, just like the world life, where humankind should find the essence of life from within.
The procession itself is a rich and special eye-catching event for the tourists, especially before the D-day blackout. Bali could be fussed with traffic jams up to a day before Nyepi. In grand puras, women flooded the shrines bringing offerings on tall baskets on their head. Some people walk stretching out a long sheet of yellow and white cloth known as “The Bridge of God”.
Gamelan (brass musical instruments) and barong (kind of Balinese mystical puppet) are also the sacrosanct figures to scour on the beach. The gamelan bands march and play along the street, escorting barongs, fruit, rice, and natural food transported in garnished carriers, heading to the head-waterfront puras such as Tanah Lot, Goa Lawah, or Kuta. After prayers and rituals confronting the sea, preachers will splash all the equipments with the holy water, and bless them to the next use for the following year.
And one day before Nyepi, there is the Tawur Kasanga ceremony. The ceremony is held in every place of the island, from the front yard through the city pura.
Every house has merajan to adorn with Panca Warna offerings. Sanggah cucuk of bamboo cane are positioned against the door to display colorful gifts of sacrifice, such as ‘ketupat’ (cooked rice in square of coconut leaves), tumpeng (cone rice), chicken and other food, and rice wine, liquor, and water presented under the bamboo.
This Tawur Kasanga is aimed to please the natural environment, to inspire the Hindus to always care for the ecosystem, as that’s what a balance in life should be like. According to Wiana in his book Yadnya and Bhakti, tawur means to return or to pay on something; that people should also give nature a sincere present, as human beings seem to take so much from the environment all the time. Hindus are taught to let go of the materialism and avarice but to make it simple: to take but also to give.
In parts on cities, tawur will continue with Ngrupuk as the sun goes down. Here, every member of the family has his and her own ritual to start noise around the house bringing torches and sprinkle rice over the alleyways.
In cities and bigger villages, people parade a huge sculpture called ogoh-ogoh, a colorfully clad wooden scary face representing the supernatural giant Bhuta Kala or the power of evil. The giant will be danced in the vibrant gamelan music and soared around the village for a while. To the end of the rite, they will blaze it on fire to get rid of the wicked power represented by the giant figure.
Then the next day, when the tranquility comes, Nyepi is really a solitude day. A day renouncing from the normal clamor is meant for looking through a more advanced quality in the future life. If one could see it through, he or she will be able to let go of the wrong, penetrate the peace into his or her mind, and start the dharma, something that most people dream of a new life.
GALUNGAN AND KUNINGAN DAY
Galungan Day is celebrated every Budha Kliwon Dungulan. Galungan Day has a meaning "Pawedalan Jagat" or the earth's celebration. On this day the Hindus thank the God for the creation of the earth and its content. On this day the Hindus feel grateful for His blessings.
The Relation between Mayadenawa and Galungan Day
Once upon a time, there was a powerful King called Mayadenawa. Mayadenawa was a descendant of daitya (powerful giant), the son of Dewi Danu. Because of his power he can transformed himself into many kinds of creatures and forms.
This King ruled the area of Makasar, Sumbawa, Bugis, Lombok, and Blambangan. Because of his great power, Mayadenawa became snobbish and cruel. In this period a priest with divine power, called Mpu Kulputih. Mayadenawa did not allow the Balinese to worship the God, and he destroyed all the temples.
Because of this the people of Bali became desperate, the plants were destroyed, plaque was everywhere. The people did not dare to fight back or argue the order of Mayadenawa because of his magical power.
Mpu Kulputih was so sad to see this condition. Then he meditated at Pura Besakih to ask for the God's guidance to handle the chaos of Bali society caused by the King's behavior. Then he got guidance from the God Mahadewa to go to Jambu Dwipa (India) and ask for help.
It is not clear about who was finally sent to India, and how was it until a platoon of troops from heaven came to attack Mayadenawa. It was said that the God Indra led the troops from heaven, with complete weapons to Bali. In that attack Citrasena and Citragada led the platoon in the right wing.
Sang Jayantaka led the left wing, whereas Gandarwa led the main platoon. Bhagawan Narada was sent to investigate Mayadenawa's palace. Mayadenawa has known the attack from the troop of Bhatara Indra, because he had many spies.
Therefore, he prepared his troop to face the attack from the troops of heaven. A war cannot be avoided, a dreadful war that caused many victims from the both side.
But, because the troop of Bhatara indra was stronger, finally Mayadenawa's troops fled and left the King and his assistance, who is called Si Kala Wong. Good luck was with Mayadenawa and his assistance because the war had to be stopped, because the night has come.
At night, when the troops from heaven were still asleep, Mayadenawa came and created water with poison in it near the beds of the troops from heaven. Then, he left that place, and in order not left any trail, he walked with the sides of his feet.
That place later is called Tampak Siring. The next day the troop from heaven woke up from their sleep and drank the water that has been created by Mayadenawa. All of the members of the troops became sick.
Bhatara Indra found out about this, then he created another source of water called 'Tirta Empul'. Because of this source of water, the sick troops became well. The flow of the water from Tirta Empul became a river called Tukad Pakerisan.
Bhatara Indra and his troop chased Mayadenawa who had run away with his assistance. In his flight Mayadenawa transformed himself into 'manuk raya' (a big bird). This place later is known as Manukaya village.
Mayadenawa could not trick the powerful Bhatara Indra. Mayadenawa transformed himself several times into 'buah timbul', 'busung', 'susuh', 'bidadari' and finally turned himself into a stone called Si Kala Wong. Bhatara Indra shoots it with an arrow till he died.
His blood kept on flowing and became a river called Petanu. This river is cursed. If it used to water the rice field, the rice paddies would grow rapidly, but when harvested blood would came out of it and smell bad. This cursed will end in 1000 years.
The village where Mayadenawa transformed himself into 'timbul' fruit, later is known as Timbul village, the place where he transformed into 'busung' (young coconut leaf) is called Blusung village, the place where he transformed himself into susuh is called Penyusuhan village, and the place where he transformed into a fairy, later is called Kedewatan village (Ubud).
The death of the King Mayadenawa is the victory of the good (dharma) upon evil (adharma). This victory day is celebrated every six months (6x35 days=210 days), which is called Galungan Day. It is called Galungan, probably because it is celebrated on wuku Galungan (based on the Balinese calendar), and so does Kuningan Day that falls on wuku Kuningan.
The celebration of Galungan dan Kuningan is started on Tumpek Wariga or Tumpek Pengarah, the preparation for Galungan and Kuningan, until Budha Keliwon Pahang or also called as Budha Keliwon Pegat Wakan.
Penjor
Penjor is the symbol of Mount Agung and also the symbol of the presence of the God. It is made from a long bamboo pole with its curved end, and decorated with rice paddies, corn on the cob, coconut, cakes, a piece of white or yellow cloth, etc. This as a sign for reminding the human that everything we enjoy in this world is from the God.
Penjor is usually made on Penampahan Galungan (a day before the Galungan Day). It is the symbol of Mount Agung, and also as gratitude for the agricultural produce. Mount Agung is the symbol of holiness as a connection to Mount Semeru, Mount Himalaya, or Mahameru, which is believed as the place where Bhatara Putra Jaya stays.
We can be happy and celebrate for everything that we enjoy. But, the celebration must be based on dharma or holy bible. Happiness must always tend to the limits of ethics, such as holding art performance, literature night, or sport activities, etc.
We must leave the old ways, which is not based on 'susila' teachings (rules of good conduct). And the realization of those activities must be based on desa (place), 'kala' (time), and 'patra' (situation).
Description of Galungan and Kuningan Day
1. Wrespathi Wage Sungsang, is called Sugimanek Jawa, the day of the arrival of the Gods accompanied by the ancestors on earth. On this day Pengerebon offering and puspa wewangian (fragance flowers) are dedicated to the Gods and ancestors in the family shrine.
2. Sukra Keliwon Sungsang, is called Sugimanek Bali, a special day to purify ourselves. Purifying us from the influence of worldly things. On this day it is suggested to visit temples (matirtha yatra) for praying and learning more deeply about the holy teachings of the bible.
3. Saniscara Umanis Sungsang, is a preparation day for the next day. Preparing one to face the 'test' mentally and physically in peace, patience, alertness and devotion.
4. Panyekeban/Panapean, Redite Pahing Dungulan is a day when the Hindus started to do a meditation (yoga semadhi), because on this day Sang Kala Tiga Wisesa came as Bhuta Galungan, to tempt the human's mind. Starts from Redite, Soma, and Anggara Wuku Dungulan as the coming of Bhuta Galungan, Bhuta Dungulan, and Bhuta Amangkurat. On this day people is also start to make cakes and keep the materials for Galungan day such as tape (a kind of Balinese snack) to ripen.
5. Penampahan, Anggara Wage Dungulan, is a day when temptation comes from Bhuta Amangkurat. If we were not in alert and weak, it would succeed in tempting us. On this day Bhuta Yadnya is held in Catuspata, caru in the houseyard, segehan offering based on urip and direction, dedicated to Sang Bhuta Galungan.
6. Galungan, Budha Keliwon Dungulan is the day to have fun, the victory day after facing the 'test' mentally and physically from Sang Bhuta Galungan or the victory of the Good (Dharma) upon Evil (Adharma). On this day offerings are dedicated to the God and the ancestors who come down to earth.
7. Umanis Galungan, Wrespathi Umanis Galungan is the celebration day, and the Hindus can enjoy His blessings. The offerings are replaced with new ones and art performance is usually held and can be enjoyed by everyone.
8. Pahing Galungan, Sukra Pahing Dungulan, the day when we are still in alert with pure heart.
9. Pamaridan Guru, Saniscara Pon Dungulan, is the day when the God gives us prosperity. On this day, the Hindus usually visit the temples (tirthayatra).
10. Ulihan, Redithe Wage Kuningan, is the day when we commemorate the ancestors who has left us and continue their duty to fight for the truth (dharma)
11. Pamacekan Agung, Soma Keliwon Kuningan, is the day to pray for good will and the purity of the heart, because pemacekan day comes from the word 'pacek', which means the middle, i.e. the day between Galungan and Kuningan (5 days after Galungan and 5 days before Kuningan). The Philosophy is we are in the middle of the purity of the heart. On this day Segehan Agung offering is placed in front of the main gate.
12. Anggara Umanis Kuningan, is the preparation of Kuningan Day.
13. Pujawali Bhatara Wisnu, Budha Pahing Kuningan is the day when the protector of the world, God Wisnu comes to the earth. The Hindus on this day should pray for the maintenance of the universe.
14. Wrespathi Pon Kuningan, is a preparation day for Kuningan.
15. Penampahan Kuningan, Sukra Wage Kuningan is a day to prepare everything, especially the offering for Kuningan Day.
16. Tumpek Kuningan, Saniscara Keliwon Kuningan, is the day when the Gods accompanied by the ancestors come to visit the earth, but only until noon (12.00). On this day the Hindus are suggested to do self-introspection by doing a meditation for human's prosperity. The offerings on this day are selanggi, tebog, endongan, that decorates the house. Segehan Agung is placed on the house yard, and offerings for the family members are also served such as prayascita lewih, sesayut segan kuning, iwak itik putih, and penyeneng.
17. Pegat Wakan, Budha Keliwon Pahang, is the end of meditation that has been done for 42 days (from Sugimanek Jawa until Budha Keliwon Pahang). On this day the Hindus are dedicating sesayut dirghayusa and penyeneng offerings to the Supreme God, Hyang Widhi Wasa.
BALINESE BATIK
The Batik of Bali provides another venue of showing the artistic excellence of the Balinese people. Their beautiful designs, inspired by religious mythologies to everyday encounters, spread throughout the world. Originally stimulated by Javanese motifs, dominated by wayang and other mythological characters, contemporary batik artists have also experienced artistic development that parallels that of paintings. Modern batik artists express themselves through various subjects, from objects of nature such as birds or fish to daily activities such as cremation (ngaben) procession or tourist attractions as well as religious and mythological stories, accompanied by modern interpretation.
The Ikat and Double Ikat are two amazing techniques that the Balinese have perfected. A piece of Ikat cloth is woven in such a way that the ink is 'tied' (which is what 'ikat' literally translates to) in one of the two threads. A Double Ikat recursively repeats this technique; both threads contain ink. The ink will bleed to its neihboring area, and the result is a piece of cloth with distinctive, subtle patterns.
The village of Tenganan is well known for its superb double ikat work. A good piece of double ikat may take months to complete, and it usually belongs to the family heirloom. Certain patterns, such as the black and white, checkered, double ikat are considered to have protective powers against the evil spirits. Thus, they are used a lot to cover or to dress statues that guard the entrance to a temple or sacred masks like Barong.
A piece of ikat shirt or a batik wrap-around, each can be had for as little as a few dollars, are must have. Local garment shops will gladly supply you with these or any other kinds of Balinese garments that might interest you.
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