Kecak Dance in Bali

Kecak Dance is a typical Balinese performing arts that was created in the 1930s, played by dozens of men who sit in a circle and lined with a certain rhythm called for the word “smack” and raised both arms. The dancers in the circle wearing a plaid cloth like a chessboard their waist. This dance illustrates the story of Ramayana when Rama’s line of apes help fight Ravana. Kecak dance songs taken from the ritual dances sanghyang namely that the dancers dance traditions will be in unconscious condition, to communicate with God or the spirits of the ancestors and then convey its expectations to the public. Tourists who are interested in watching Kecak can choose one of three locations the show, among other Luhur Pura Uluwatu, at...

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Saraswati Ceremony in Bali

Saraswati Ceremony is the celebration of the revelation of knowledge or science (vidya). This celebration is based on calculations of Balinese Calendar, exactly on the day of Wuku Watugunung Saniscara (Saturday). celebrations are done in place of an education such as schools, libraries and other places. Celebration is done by praying together by the school community Saraswati is the Shakti (wife) of Brahma. Saraswati is symbolized as a goddess who stands above the lotus with the swan (Hamsa) and peacock next to her. Have four hand with a sitar / Veena and ganatri on both the right hand, the left hand bring literature / books and one left hand  to play guitar. Meanings of that symbols are: White skin, meaning: as a basic...

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Ngaben Ceremony in Bali

Ngaben, or Cremation Ceremony, is the 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 not present and will reincarnate or find his 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 paper and wood. The buffalo or temple structure will be...

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Galungan Ceremony in Bali

Galungan is a Balinese holiday that occurs every 210 days and lasts for 10 days. Kuningan is the last day of the holiday. Galungan means "When the Dharma is winning." During this holiday the Balinese gods visit the Earth and leave on Kuningan. Occurring once in every 210 days in the pawukon (Balinese cycle of days), Galungan marks the beginning of the most important recurring religious ceremony that is celebrated by all Balinese. During the Galungan period the deified ancestors of the family descend to their former homes. They must be suitably entertained and welcomed, and prayers and offerings must be made for them. Those families who have ancestors that have not yet been cremated, but are still buried in the village cemetery, must...

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