There are ceremonies for every stage of Balinese life but often the last ceremony, cremation is the biggest. A Balinese cremation (ngaben) can be an amazing, spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting event. In fact it often takes so long to organize a cremation that years have passed since the death. During that time the body is temporarily buried. Of course an auspicious day must be chosen for the cremation and since a big cremation can be very expensive business many less wealthy people may take the opportunity of joining in at a larger cremation and sending their own dead on their way at the same time.
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Category Archives: Bali Culture
Bali Cremation Ngaben
Bali Temple
The temple is certainly the most important institution on the island and the clearest illustration of the spirit of the Balinese religion. There are temples everywhere, from the modest family shrines in every household, to the extravagant temples of the princes and great town temples; large or small, plain or richly carved temples found in the rice fields, in the cemeteries, in the markets, on the beaches, in caves, on deserted hill tops and even on the barren rocks along the coastline.
The Balinese temple is a sacred space in which the deities are honored with rituals and offerings. Whether a simple enclosure with only one or two tiny shrines, or an elaborate complex with scores of sacred structures, the basic function of each temple is the same – to serve as a site where the Balinese pay reverence to the spiritual powers that play such a large role in their lives.
Tumpek Landep & Purnama
Today is a special day set aside on the Balinese calendar to give thanks to the creation of metal goods. Specific offerings are made in the home for kitchen implements, garden tools and metallic parts of machinery, vehicles, etc that they might have. Builders generally take a day’s rest today to make offerings for their work tools. Read More
Music and dance in bali
Music, dance and drama are all closely related in Bali, in fact drama and dance are synonymous. The most important thing about Balinese dances, however, is that they’re fun and accessible. Balinese dances are not hard to find; there are dances virtually every night at all the tourist centers.
The Gamelan
Balinese music is based around an instrument known as the gamelan. The gamelan is such a central part of Balinese music that the whole ‘orchestra’ is also referred to as a gamelan. Gamelan music is almost completely percussion. Though it sounds strange at first with its noisy, jangly percussion it’s exciting and enjoyable.
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