The sound of gamelan moves closer, an exotic percussion that is repetitive and hypnotic, as we wake from our afternoon slumber and follow the procession down to the sea. Another Balinese ceremony is about to take place.
The Balinese will often tell you that they won’t be around for a few days as they have a ceremony to attend. Religious and family ceremonies are an important part of the fabric of Balinese life. Hindu ritual and observance is strictly upheld, despite the massive level of tourism in southern Bali. Balinese often return to their family village in the country for these events: they are always in touch with the ever shifting Hindu calendar. I’m forever asking questions, trying to fathom the significance of each new ceremony that I come across.
Memukur is a traditional Balinese ceremony for the passed away spirit. The purpose of this ceremony is to purify the spirit to send it off into reincarnation. It must be purified by water so it may return to heaven to begin the process of reincarnation. According to tradition, the deceased returns to human life in the form of the next born family member after these rituals. White is the colour worn during Memukur, with bright sashes and golden sarongs for the women, and white shirts and traditional dark sarongs for the men. The carefully tied udeng is worn as a hat on these occasions.
The assembled group wait patiently for the priest to arrive, who performs the water purification ceremony. This is not a sad occasion yet the gathered are quiet and respectful. Some of the younger boys in the gamelan band joke quietly together: young women occasionally glance at their mobile phones.
A collective sigh can be heard as the elderly priest arrives in a black car and slowly moves to the raised platform to perform the purification rites.
The gamelan orchestra begins again, with increasing percussion from gongs and hammered xylophones and background wind instruments.
The Balinese don’t mind foreigners witnessing these ceremonies. Some points of etiquette need to be observed.
- Do not walk in front of people when they are praying.
- Do not use flash or point your camera at the priest’s face.
- Never sit higher than the priest, the offerings and/or people praying.
- During cremation ceremonies, never get in the way of attendees. Stand at a respectable distance, somewhere along the sides or in the background.
- The bikini clad and shirtless should stay well away.
It’s not unusual for the assembled to be happy at this final stage of a funeral process.
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Your profound work enables one to invoke all the senses. This particular ritual stirred up the olfactory memories of many years ago. The incense, the strong perfume of the frangipani, smoke and the ever-present waft of near-by cooking. Such an amazing way to send off the spirit.
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The frangipani drops every day and I can’t he;p but pick up a few. It’s a lovely way to send off a spirit, the last stage of a funeral…. the final release and the happiest one of all.
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If one believes in being reborn this traditional ceremony bears but little sadness. But, ‘oh dear’, these beautifully clad young ladies with no thought bar what they can find on their phones look so alike all those waiting for attention in my local Medical Centre in Australia 🙂 !!
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Yes, it’s a world wide problem, and whilst Hindusim with its wonderful rich culture has stood firm and held up in the midst of massive foreign tourism, will it survive the internet/facebook age?
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