Bali Travel News

Balinese life is full of artistic colors. Since being conceived, a Balinese is introduced to the ritual of magedong-gedongan implemented by means of sesaji offering arranged in such a way to contain full of artistic nuance, giving the sesaji both religious character and magical power expected to safeguard the baby in conception. More over the sejaji instills a good taste to the baby making its mother feel happy, full of eagerness and joy. This ritual consequently sends vibration’s to the baby still being in conception.

Similar is the case with further phases of the baby’s life until becoming grown up. In this span of time a range of rituals take place respectively at the time of birth, of the age of one month and seven days, of three months, of six months or one oton (as Balinese mentions it), and so on, ending at a time when the man reaches grown up stage. At the latest phase of human development, the sesajen offered is very implicated, while its artistic value gets higher. Wealthy men would add an art show to the series of ritual.

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Animals have a very important position both spiritually and materially in Bali, bringing about a special day of “Tumpek Kandang” especially for cattle breeders. They pray to “Sang Hyang Rare Angon” to give thanks for protecting and safeguarding their animals. Some people call the special day “Tumpek Andang”, others call it “Tumpek Pengatag” and “Tumpek Uye”, celebrated on Saniscara (Saturday) Kliwon Wuku Uye, once every 6 months.

“Sesajen” offerings are presented to “Sang Hyang Rare Angon”, in the hope that their cattle remain strong and healthy and reproduce well. The kinds of “upakara” offerings are in the forms of “peras”, “ajuman”, “daksina”, “dapetan”, “penyeneng”, “pesucian”, and various “tipat” rice packages in coconut leafs. Wealthy breeders of course prepare larger “sesajen” with their stables colourfully decorated with the finest cloth possible.

On that day, the cattle food is more attractive than usually. Breeders and lovers of animals are engaged spend time with their animals, and offer “sesajen” followed by prayers. Balinese breeders apply modern techniques in rearing cattle, while persisting to recognise the tradition of celebrating “Tumpek Kandang” holy day. (Sumadi)

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