Rite of Passage
Bali have a unique culture, when you visit Bali island you could learn about rite of passage from Balinese culture
In the eyes of the Hindu Balinese, existence is a continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth, until one attains moksa, when the soul becomes one with the macrocosm. Rituals at various stages of life on earth ensure that the individual progresses toward this desired state.
INFANT GODS
The baby, which embodies the soul of a reincarnating ancestor, is said to be an infant god or Dewa , until it is 42 days old. It is carried about on a family membership as it is not allowed to touch the impure soil until it is 105 days old. Its first birthday is celebrated 210 days after birth, a year in the Balinese calender, and the mother makes a temple offering to announce the child’s arrival in the village.
TOOTH FILING ( MEPANDES )
The ceremony of tooth filing, meant to overcome the elements of man’s bestiality cause Balinese believe every human born with animal characteristics, occurs after a child reaches puberty. The pointed canine teeth are considered animalistic, and all six upper front teeth are filed even. Because of the expense of this ceremony, a number of families may join in a mass tooth filing to share costs.
MARRIAGE
Full adulthood begins after marriage During the ceremony, offerings are addressed to the demonic forces, who have to be placated before proper sexual desire is exercised. To show knowledge of domestic duties, a bride and bridegroom may simulate activities such as weaving or washing during the ceremony.
CREMATION TOWER
A cremation is the most important rite of passage that a family can perform for its loved ones. The body may be buried until a cremation can be arranged, then it is hoisted up an elaborate stairway to a decorated tower (right) supported on a bamboo substructure. The tower is a symbolic representation of the universe, with the upper tiers symbolizing the various heavens where the soul is heading.
SARCOPHAGUS ( NGABEN )
In a joyous procession, the cremation tower is transported to the grounds where the body is placed in an animal-shaped sarcophagus. The sarcophagus is the dead’s vehicle to the mountain of the soul’s origin. Pots of holy water are poured over the corpse, then it and the tower and other cremation paraphernalia are consumed by fire.
COLLECTING THE ASHES
After the body is burned, the ashes are collected, ground finely, and offered to the sea. All physical remains having been restored to the five elements, the soul is now freed to journey through purgatory and, if need be, taken to hell to be tortured and eventually cleansed.
RETURNING HOME
In a final ceremony that may be held years later, the soul is called back from the sea and after several cleansing rituals, taken to the mountain temple and released to return to its heavenly abode. It has become a deified ancestor, and is worshiped at a special shrine.
Bali Culture
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