Bali’s Culture And Traditions
Bali’s culture and traditions are interesting
In Indonesia, there are still many local people who still adhere to their culture.
And one of them is the Balinese people from Bali island.
They still respect the Bali’s culture and traditions of their ancestors.
By the way, the culture and local wisdom of Bali has become a stunning attraction for tourists.
even for both local and foreign tourist
Various Bali Culture and Traditions in Bali
Some traditions in Bali have become a spectacle and entertainment for tourists.
Especially when they visit Bali at the right time
And these Unique traditions in Bali itself can still be preserved.
Which is still related to rituals and various traditional activities.
So It will be a unique tradition.
If we preserve the traditions and culture that our ancestors have bequeathed
1. Bali culture and traditions-Mekare-Kare
Mekare-Kare which is also known as the “Pandan War”
Pandan is a kind of leaf. So it’s not dangerous
This attraction is held in the village of Tenganan, Karangasem.
When you see this attraction
They look like two people who are dueling.
And each person holding a wad of prickly pandan leaves.
They used the Pandan leaves as the weapon
Then fight and beat each other until the finish
They make this ceremony not only as an attraction for tourists.
But also as an identity.
So that’s why The village of Tenganan Karang Asem
They have another nickname, namely Bali Aga.
The Balinese Aga people claim to be the original Balinese.
They held the Mekare-Kare tradition at a certain time
During the Ngusaba Kapat or Sasih Sambah.
which is come in every June.
This tradition is held for 2 days
And start at 2 pm and until the end.
The Purpose of Tradition
The purpose of this tradition is to honor Lord Indra, the god of war
This god is considered the highest level of god by the people of Tenganan.
This village is popular as a tourist destination on the island of Bali
Because the tradition still exists today
2. Bali’s Culture and Traditions- Mekotek
When you visit Munggu village, Mengwi District, Badung.
You will find a tradition called Mekotek.
Or you can also be called Gerebek Mekotek.
Precisely when Hari Raya Kuningan
Or 10 days after Galungan.
They start to celebrate the Mekotek Tradition
The purpose of this tradition is to counteract disaster and disease.
And also ask for protection and salvation.
Initially, the Mekotek tradition used an iron rod.
But to avoid risks for the participants.
Then the iron rod was replaced with pullet wood
The length of the wood is 2 to 3.5 meters.
The bark has been peeled off to make it smooth
So that the stick is comfortable to use.
Then, the sticks will be combined into one cone-shaped
And looks like a wooden pyramid arrangement.
Uniquely, all the participants who have guts and are brave enough
They can try to climb to the top of the wooden pyramid.
And then they pitted against the wooden stick they were carrying.
Because the sound made from the wooden stick rung out “tek tek”
So this tradition is called Mekotek.
3. Bali’s Culture and Traditions- Mesbes Bangke
One of the extreme traditions in Bali is the Mesbes Bangke.
A tradition that is held in Siring, Gianyar.
They perform a ceremony by tearing corpses to shreds.
And of course, it will be scary to those who see it.
Actually, this is the tradition of cremation.
But on the way to the cremation place.
The corpse will be torn into shreds first
The participant or the resident was waiting for the bodies to arrive
And when they see the corpse comes
They start to tear and shred the bodies.
And they still do this tradition today.
4. Bali’s Culture and Traditions- Megibung
If the Mesbes Bangke is a terrible tradition
The Megibung tradition is a fun tradition.
This Megibung tradition is celebrated in Karangasem, East Bali.
This tradition is a joint meal activity
And that is held during weddings, 3 months, Wetonan.
Just like the tradition in Java
But people who attend a wedding ceremony
They all eat together on one plate
So that’s why it’s called Megibung
And Megibung tradition still exists today.
5. Bali’s Culture and traditions-Ngaben
Generally, bodies who die will have their bodies buried.
However, it’s different from the bodies in Bali.
There’s a special ritual that must be done to send the corpse away forever.
The name of the ritual is none aside from the Ngaben ceremony.
In practice, Ngaben usually performed in a very grand manner.
With an outsized procession of individuals and decorations.
The Purpose of the Ngaben Ceremony
The conceptual Ngaben ceremony has the next meanings and objectives:
1. By burning the corpse or symbolically
Then sweeping the ashes into the river or sea.
Has the meaning of releasing the Atma (spirit) from the bondage of the earth.
So that it can easily unite with God (Mokshatam Atmanam).
2. Burning the corpse is additionally a series of ceremonies.
To return all the elements of Panca Maha Bhuta
Or 5 elements of building the gross human body
To their respective origins
So as not to hinder Atma’s journey to Sunia Loka.
3. For the family, this ceremony could also be a symbol
The family has willingly let it go of a related departure
6. Omed Omedan
This unique culture and tradition are held in the middle of Denpasar city.
Precisely in Banjar Kaja, Sesetan Village, South Denpasar.
Held once a year, to coincide with Ngembak Geni Day
Or the day after the Nyepi Day festival
This unique tradition starts around 14.00 for two hours.
This procession is merely attended by children
Or those that aren’t married by the age of 17 years.
The Omed-omedan means a tug of war
between the youths of the Banjar residents.
And sometimes amid kissing scenes between the 2 of them.
This tradition is held as a sort of joy after the implementation of Nyepi Day.
this is often an ancestral cultural heritage on the island of Bali.
Has sacred values and is believed to experience bad things
If this tradition isn’t administered.
This tradition is one of the tourist attractions.
Which will be enjoyed when visiting on the day of Ngembak Geni.
7. Gebug Ende Seraya
This attraction is additionally referred to as rattan war.
Where two men face one another and attack one another.
With a stick of rattan 1.5-2 meters long
And then the other hand holds a shield to debar the opponent’s attack.
Between the 2 of them is restricted by a rattan rod (centerline).
so that it doesn’t enter into the opponent’s territory.
This rattan war doesn’t only require dexterity but also courage.
Because every participant may get hit by the opponent’s rattan.
This unique tradition is in Seraya village, Karangasem – East Bali.
Has become a culture that has been bequeathed so far.
The purpose of this Gebug Ende procession may be a traditional ritual to wish for rain.
This is often done during the season, namely in October – November per annum.
The geographical condition of Seraya village.
Which is found in a hilly area, and is susceptible to water problems.
This is why the ritual of posing for rain is held in this village.
Seraya Village also has several tourist destinations which will be visited during a tour on the island of Bali.
8. Ogoh-Ogoh
Ogoh ogoh is one of the most popular traditions in Bali.
And it held right a day before Nyepi.
The name of Ogoh Ogoh itself is taken from the Bali’s Language which means something that is shaken.
The form of Ogoh Ogoh is a sculpture.
In Balinese culture that depicts the personality of Bhuta Kala.
In Hindu Darma teachings.
Butha Kala represents the unbeatable and indisputable power of the universe.
The Ogoh Ogoh Parade
The Ogoh Ogoh Parade starts about 6.-6.30 in the evening
And they began parading around the city or village
Almost all Hindu people in Bali held the Ogoh Ogoh Parade in their city or village.
And they do this ritual because it is related to the Hindu Religion.
Ogoh Ogoh is a giant doll that is a symbol of Butha Kala.
And the shape or the form is very scary.
The scary form of Ogoh Ogoh is a symbol of crime or something ugly and bad.
The Ogoh Ogoh parade is still in the series of implementing Nyepi Day.
After previously holding the Tawur Kesanga to give a reward to Butha Kala.
Then in the evening he was expelled and paraded around the city or village.
The purpose of this parade is to not interfere with human life anymore.
Especially the next day when carrying out Nyepi.
9. Nyepi Day
Nyepi Day on Bali island is held once a year to welcome Isaka’s new year.
It’s a different welcome for the new year with silence, serenity, and quiet.
So that’s why all residents or tourists on this Nyepi day.
Are not allowed to travel, light a fire, make a noise, or have fun.
The purpose of this celebration is to be able to introspect and contemplate ourselves in a quiet atmosphere.
10. Makepung
The Meaning of Makepung
Makepung itself means chasing using a pair of buffalo.
And on the island of Bali, you only can find it in the Jembrana district.
So with these Makepung traditions, Jembrana district is also known as Bumi Makepung.
Buffalo Race rules
The Jockey or a coach is the person who controls the buffalo.
So he can arrange the speed And Buffalo keep on the track
And they compete with each other to chase the buffalo that run in front of them.
The winner is determined by who can narrow or loosen the distance between two pairs of buffalo.
And It is not determined who will reach the finish line first.
These traditions become an annual activity followed by groups of farmers in Jembrana.
They treated like an athlete all the buffalo that were selected to compete
Even before the race starts the owner does not forget to perform the ritual.
This is held every Sunday between July and November every year.
So The Makepung ceremony can be your tour agenda.
When you are on vacation at the right time on the island of Bali
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