On the Island of the Gods, Bali, you can find many unique cultures and traditions, these cultural heritages originate from many ancient Balinese heritages. A number of unique cultures and traditions are presented as attractions for tourists, this makes for an amazing trip to Bali.
The unique culture and traditions in Bali are closely related to people’s beliefs in rituals wrapped in a tradition. This belief is like the belief that a disaster will occur if the ritual or tradition is not carried out.
This tradition is carried out on the island of Bali because it is related to religious beliefs to honor God and ancestors. This has become a culture for the people on the island of Bali. This culture is still preserved today and can develop.
The traditions held in Bali are a special treat to be enjoyed by tourists who are on holiday on the Island of the Gods. Traditional customs in modern times will create a special experience when on holiday in Bali, some of these traditions include:
1. Trunyan Village Funeral Traditions
In Bali, people usually die, especially Hindus, and apart from being buried, they can also be burned or cremated directly. However, a different tradition was found in Trunyan Kintamani Village, Bangli Regency, on the Island of the Gods, Bali.
When someone dies, the corpse or body of that person is only placed under the Menyan tree. And what’s most unique is that the body was simply placed on the ground, not buried, just fenced off with bamboo so that wild animals wouldn’t take it.
But strangely, the body did not have the slightest odor, until in the end only bones remained. And the bones will later be placed somewhere in the area, namely the Trunyan cemetery.
The cemetery in Trunyan is included in the list of unique cultures and traditions of the Indonesian archipelago. And because of this uniqueness, the Trunyan village cemetery is an attractive tourist destination on an amazing trip to Bali.
2. Omed-Omedan Tradition
The Omed-Omedan culture and tradition is held only once a year, to coincide with Ngembak Geni day or the day after Nyepi. The Omed-Omedan tradition is carried out in the center of Denpasar city, located in Banjar, South Denpasar, in Bali.
Omed-Omedan means a young woman and a young man who attract each other and sometimes both of them have kissing scenes. This procession is attended only by young men and women or unmarried people aged over 13 years.
This tradition and culture is so believed that if it is not carried out, something bad will happen, so this ritual must be carried out. This tradition is held as a form of joy after the Nyepi Day. This unique tradition starts at around 14.00 for 2 hours.
The Omed-Omedan tradition is also one of the tourist attractions that tourists can enjoy while on holiday in Bali. If you want to travel during this traditional time, if possible, be at the hotel before afternoon because many roads will be closed and diverted.
3. Gebug Ende Seraya
One of the unique traditions and culture in Bali is Gebug Ende Seraya, which is a fight between two men using rattan weapons. This two-person fight uses rattan 1.5-2 meters long, then the other hand holds a shield to ward off attacks from the opponent.
And between the two people there is a boundary with rattan sticks as the middle line so that the opponent does not enter the opponent’s territory. In carrying out this rattan fight, a person may be hit by a rattan blow. This requires dexterity and courage.
The main purpose of this procession is a traditional ritual to ask for rain, and this is done during the dry season. The problem of water shortages is often experienced by residents of this village, so the residents perform a ritual asking for rain, a ritual that is believed to make it rain.
4. Mesbes Bangke Tradition
The Mesbes Bangke tradition is a unique and truly extreme tradition and culture on the Island of the Gods, Bali. This tradition is a tradition of tearing dead people apart, which really looks very scary and terrible.
This is a tradition where the corpse or body of a person who is about to be cremated (ngaben), before going to the cremation site, will be torn to pieces by the residents. Residents waited for the dead person in the yard, and when the body was outside the house, the body was torn to pieces.
There were even residents who climbed onto corpses or corpses that were being carried because of their enthusiasm. But the tradition only applies to those who cremate alone, it does not apply to mass cremations, this tradition is still valid today.
5. The Megibung Tradition In Karangasem
This tradition is part of the culture of the Karangasem people in East Bali, namely the tradition of eating together when there is a traditional ceremony. Such as when there is a wedding, 3 months, otonan, or other traditional ceremonies, and this tradition still survives today.
Even though now some residents sometimes prepare buffet meals (street food) during celebrations, this tradition cannot be abandoned. Even when the Regent of Karangasem, I Wayan Geredeg, once held a mass Megibung at the Taman Ujung Karangasem tourist attraction and broke Muri’s record.
Eating together or Megibung is done by a group of 5-6 people sitting around a pile of rice on a tray or tray (gibungan). Gibungan is served complete with side dishes and vegetables and then a group of people eat together.
6. Ogoh-Ogoh Parade
Most of the people on the Island of the Gods hold an Ogoh-Ogoh parade, this is done because it is related to religious rituals. The tradition of parading the Ogoh-Ogoh is held right the day before Nyepi Day in Bali, around 6-6.30 in the afternoon.
Ogoh-Ogoh is a giant doll which is used as a symbol of Bhuta Kala, or a symbol of evil. These Ogoh-Ogoh usually have a very scary shape, like an animal, the shape of a criminal, which is often found in the form of a scary giant.
The Ogoh-Ogoh parade procession is part of the Nyepi Day celebration, which was previously held at Tawur Kesanga. Giving wages to Bhuta Kala and in the afternoon he was sent away and paraded around in the form of a parade.
This ritual is carried out so that it does not disturb human life any more and most importantly when celebrating the Nyepi holiday. And if you travel at that time, try not to leave until the afternoon because many roads are closed.
7. Nyepi Day Celebration
Who doesn’t know the celebration of Nyepi Day on the island of Bali, namely to welcome the Saka New Year. What happens in the dead month (tilem) and Nyepi Day which is held once a year.
Nyepi Day is a different welcome to the new year, namely with calm, solitude, quiet and quiet. This is what makes residents during Nyepi Day not allowed to go out to make noise, start fires or have fun.
All public facilities are closed except hospitals, the purpose of this celebration is to allow for self-introspection or mulat sarira. And if you meditate in silence you can concentrate more optimally, just spend the day at home praying, doing meditation and meditation.
So that in the following month we can start a better life, in Sasih Kedasa, all classes, pure and clean to start a new life again. The culture and traditions of Nyepi Day are something unique for those on holiday in Bali.
The traditions and culture inherited from Bali are sometimes still a way of life for a group of traditional people on the Island of the Gods. This is an attraction that not only tourists want to know about, so it is an amazing trip.
