What is Ogoh Ogoh?

'Ogoh- ogoh' is very identical with 'Nyepi' Day in Bali. It can be said that 'ogoh ogoh' is the most interesting event among the series of 'Nyepi' Ceremony. 'Ogoh ogoh' are paraded in the 'Pengrupukan' night, which is a day before the 'Saka' New Year or so called 'Nyepi' Day. 'Ogoh-ogoh' whose appearance is very scary is usually paraded around the village or town by the 'Banjar' (traditional village society which is dominated by the youth). 'Ogoh ogoh' is a kind of statue / giant doll which is made of light materials such as the combination of wood, bamboo, paper, and styrofoam so it is easy to be lifted and paraded. With the development or technology and materials, people prefer using styrofoam because of its lightweight and easiness to be carved and processed, but of course it costs more.

'Ogoh-ogoh' is made in form of 'Bhuta Kala' (evil spirits and creatures who like to disturb human’s life). 'Bhuta Kala' is usually symbolized as a Rakshasa (giant creature) with scary and ferocious appearance. 'Bhuta Kala' is the kind of evil creatures which possessed bad nature in them. In Hindu and Buddha mythology, it is said that the word “rakshasa” means “cruelty”, which is the opposite of the word “raksha” which means “tranquility”. By parading 'ogoh-ogoh' and in the end burn or destroy it, it is expected that those vices could be kept away from human race. Besides taking 'Rakshasa' form, 'ogoh ogoh' is also often symbolized in other forms such as mythological creature like Garuda, dragon, etcetera, and forms of God and Goddess like God 'Siwa', Ganesha, or 'Durgha'. Nowadays, there are even 'ogoh ogoh' portraying famous people, celebrities, or villains. Despite of entertaining, actually this thing is a bit deviated from the concept of 'ogoh ogoh' which should show mythological evil creatures. However, some artists who created this kind of 'ogoh-ogoh' argued that now people also have dominated by evil spirit and have done so many bad things such as terrorist, 'corruptor' and  anymore. They  think that those vices must also be destroyed and kept away from human.

The name 'ogoh ogoh' is taken from Balinese “ogah-ogah” which means something which is shaken. In fact, when 'ogoh-ogoh' is paraded around it is always shaken by the carriers of 'ogoh ogoh' to make it looks like moving or dancing. Besides that, the pose of one 'ogoh-ogoh' to the others is different and various, so each will have different moves when it is shaken. Even, now with the development of technology, many 'ogoh-ogoh' can be moved assisted by machine or other tools. There are so many version of 'ogoh ogoh' history in Bali.. 'Ogoh ogoh' Festival Usually, before the 'Pengrupukan' night, an 'ogoh-ogoh' festival will be held in 'Puputan' Park 'Denpasar'. 'Ogoh-ogoh' which could enter into this event are selected from some region of 'Denpasar'. This event is hold to honor and appreciate the creation of 'ogoh-ogoh' which possesses high art and theme value. 'Ogoh ogoh' which are entered this festival are not haphazardly taken, because they have been undergone a selection process. These 'ogoh-ogoh' must have high value of art, theme, and entertainment. The theme which is usually used is around the story of 'Wayang' (Ramayana or Mahabaratha) of other Hindu stories. Besides that, when they arrive in the area of 'Catur Muka' Crossroad 'Puputan', the lifters and their crews must show a dance show or attraction which tell the story or theme of their 'ogoh ogoh' in front of the judges. 'Ogoh ogoh' festival in 'Puputan' is usually held a few hours before Sandi Kala or evening.

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Gebogan, Balinese Offering Culture to The God

In every ceremony in the Hindus temple, the Hindus usually make offerings to the God called 'Gebogan'. There are two kinds of 'gebogan'. First is 'gebogan' that contains with Balinese flowers. Second 'gebogan' which contains with Balinese fruit. 'Gebogan' dedicated to God is the kind 'gebogan' contain with Balinese fruits. Basically, they are arrangements of fruit, colorful flowers, chicken roasted and sweet cakes stacked on top of one another, forming cylindrical towers. These objects are not always combined together, however, and you will often find 'gebogan' made up of either just flowers or fruit, depending on the purpose. The offerings are attached to a banana tree trunk by sharp bamboo skewers. The base of a 'gebogan' can be either a wooden 'dulang' or a metal 'bokor' which support the weight of the tower. Coconut-leaf decorations, known as 'sampian', ornament the top of the offerings. 

What is included in 'gebogan' will vary from one part of Bali to another based on local tradition. But the offering is always a gorgeous sight to be hold. After they finished to make the 'Gebogan' they bring it to the temple to be prayed over. Once all the rituals are over, the 'gebogan' are taken home and the food is shared amongst family and friends. Since food spoils quickly in the tropics, it is either consumed straight away or given away to visitors. If you ever visit Balinese post-ceremony time, they will surely offer you fruit and cakes which come straight off a 'gebogan'. Traditionally, 'gebogan' only served as offerings to God and were symbolic of all that is found in nature. These days, however, 'gebogan' also function as decorations or ornaments for hotels, parties, special occasions, just like ornamental bamboo poles (penjor). 

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Tajen - The Balinese Cook Fighting

'Tajen' is Balinese word for cock fighting gambling, yet in the sense of true gambling of Bali 'Tajen' has developed from a small number of men gathering at the village temple during the ritual provocating their cocks to fight each other until one or either were dead or one gives up armed with sharp two sided knife tied at the leg of the cock involved in fighting. Both cocks will injure each other, even kills one or both. This sharp knife called  'taji' which word forms "tajian", and 'tajian' is assimilated into 'tajen' The bebebotoh is the name of 'tajen' gambler who use the money for betting at the cock fighting field called  'kalangan tajen'.

It is not known when Balinese started to know this type of gambling. Since the government of Indonesia declared with regulations that 'tajen' is one of gambling and is forbidden, the 'bebotohs' looking for a reason that 'tajen' is a necessity, for requirement of ritual, and always organize the 'tajen' during the temple ritual, or during family ritual. The birth of 'tajen' inspired a person to write superstitious forecasts. We do not able to find out weather the writing was made by a 'brahmana' or a common people. Seen from the language it would have been written around 18th century. This manuscript is called 'Pengayam-ayaman' or simply means the consultant for 'bebotohs' to foresee what cock will be the winner on certain day of the 'tajen', what color of the cock will be the victorious, and at what direction the cock should be provocated for the first time on the battle field. The manuscript claims to be able to give clues to the cock that will win the battle.

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Mepandes, The Unique Hindhu Ceremony in Bali

"Potong Gigi” (Mepandes) ceremony can be found in "Kalapati" manuscript. In short, it states that there are six teeth in the upper jaw that are scoured by using gerigi, namely the two canine teeth and four incisors. It symbolized the self-awareness to control the "Sadripu" (the six enemies) in human soul. Those are "Kama" (desire), "Lobha" (greedy), "Krodha" (furiousity), "Mada" (intoxicated) "Moha" (swollen), and "Matsarya" (jealousy). 

The uncontrolled "Sadripu" will endanger the human’s life. That is the reason why it becomes the parents’ responsibility to suggest the child and wish to "Hyang Widhi" to be avoided from the affect of "Sadripu". The meaning is implicitly sates in "Kala Pati", "Kala Tatwa" and "Semaradhana" mythology that human must aware in his life. It is important in order not to get lost or far from his religion teaching (dharma) so that the holy spirit can reach the heaven together with the ancestors’ spirit become in unity with Brahman (Hyang Widhi).The "Semaradana" also rules the relationship between man and woman must stay in line with the norm. The “Potong Gigi” ceremony is usually conducted together with the "Ngeraja sewala" ceremony or normally called the "Menek Kelih" that is a ceremony to show the appreciation to God because the child has become mature, leave the childhood and become teenager.

THE STEPS OF "MEPANDES" CEREMONY

1. Those who have the mepandes are purified with "padudusan madya" after the priest doing the "ngarga tirta", "mereresik" and "mapiuning" at "Sanggar Surya". Soon after that, they will worship the "Hyang Raditya" for safeties in conducting the ceremony.

2. The hairs will be cut and the body is painted with holy letters by using special ink which is called "mererajah". The purpose is to purify the body and to sign the changing of the status from tender age to teenager.

3. Get into the bad where the "mepandes" is conducted, but before that the person must step on the "caru" as the symbol of harmonious, tap the crow bar three times (Ang-Ung-Mang) as the symbol of "Hyang Widhi’s" power, and the left armpit nips "caket" as the symbol of the doubtfulness to be aware of "Sadripu".

4. During the "mepandes" ceremony, the water which is used to gargle is thrown into a "kelungah nyuh gading" (young yellowish coconut) in order not to create "keletehan" (make the surrounding in dirt).

5. "Mepedamel" is derived from the word “dama” which means wisdom. The purpose of "mepedamel" after "mepandes" is in order the child will became a wisdom child during and teen age and so forth, stand to face the happiness and sadness of life, stay in line with Hindu religious teaching, has wide perspective, and has strong self confidence to decide on something and know how to differentiate "dharma" and "adharma".

The following are the symbolization of activities that are held in mepedamel:

• The person wears white fabric, yellow “kampuh”. and “samara-ratih” bandoleer as the symbol of God “Semara” and Godess “Ratih” (based on Semaradhana manuscript)
• Wearing “pawitra yarn” which has tridatu colors (red, white, and black) as the symbol of personal band toward the religious norms.
• Testing the “Sad Rasa” (six flavor) , bitter  and sour as the symbol to become tough in facing the life which unpleasant sometimes; spicy  as the symbol to become not to get angry easily when experiencing or hearing unpleasant things; sepet (casquette ) as the symbol to be obedient toward the rules or norms; salty as the symbol of wisdom, always try to increase the knowledge quality by studying; sweet as the symbol of  physically and spiritually happiness  life.

6. “Natab banten”. The purpose is to wish for bless from “Hyang Widhi” so the real aims of the ceremony could be achieved.

7. “Matapak”. Spiritually, the parents’ responsibilities toward the child start from fetus until mature has been accomplished. It also symbolized the appreciation of the child to the parents because they already take good care of him/ her, asks for forgiveness from the parents because of the fault, and also wish for their bless in order to be success in facing the life in the future.

8. “Persembahyangan” (worshiping) to worship “Hyang Widhi”.

 

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Ngaben, Funeral Ritual to The Next Life

Ngaben, or Cremation Ceremony, is a funeral ritual performed in Bali to send the deceased to the next life. The body of the deceased will be placed as if sleeping, and the family will continue to treat the deceased as sleeping. No tears are shed, because the deceased is only temporarily absent and will reincarnate or find final rest in Moksha (freeing from the reincarnation and death cycle). The proper day of the ceremony is always a matter of consulting a specialist on ceremony days. 

On the day of the ceremony, the body of the deceased is placed inside a coffin. This coffin is placed inside a sarcophagus resembling a buffalo (Lembu) or in a temple structure (Wadah) made of papier-maché and wood. This sarcophagus is then borne to the cremation site in a procession, which is almost never walked in a straight line. This is done to confuse evil spirits and keep them away from the deceased. The climax of a Ngaben is the burning of the sarcophagus containing the body of the deceased. The fire is viewed as necessary to free the spirit from the body and enable reincarnation. Ngaben is not always immediately performed. For members of the elite castes, it is normal to perform the ritual individually for the deceased within three days. People of lower social classes opt for a more economic solution where they first bury the deceased, who is then cremated with the village's other dead in a mass ceremony.

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Banyu Pinaruh, Purify Themselves

Banyu Pinaruh fell one day after the feast of Saraswati day. Saraswati day believed to be the decline in science by Hindus in Bali. Banyu Pinaruh usually used as a day to do the cleaning themselves by melukat or bathing at the beach or in the purified places in Bali. Pura Tirta Empul is a temple with a highly purified spring water in Bali and the best place to "melukat". Banyu Pinaruh have two word, Bayu and Pinaruh. Banyu of the word meaning water , Pinaruh or Pengeruwuh means knowledge. When Banyu Pinaruh day people cleanse the body and shampooing at the source - the source of the water or on the sea . However procession clean the dirt or the dark thoughts that attach to the human body , with science or shower with science

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