Hello Indonesian Culture Friends, are you still curious about the spooky traditions in Indonesia? Okay, on this occasion I will share my experience with the Indonesian Culture team regarding the Ngaben funeral tradition in Bali, which is spooky in Indonesia, which you must know, or maybe if you visit Indonesia, you will be able to see this tradition.
Unlike other funeral ceremonies, the Ngaben ceremony in Bali, originating from Hinduism, has unique sequences that families must follow when conducting it. One of the distinctive elements is that no one is allowed to show any sadness or grief during this sacred procession.
The Ngaben ceremony is considered a significant cultural event that must be performed when someone passes away. In Hindu, Ngaben means separating the soul from the body, which is accomplished through cremation.
According to legends, the origin of this ritual dates back to 400 BC when Bharatayuddha, a descendant of Emperor Bharata, performed it in India. The cremation ceremony is believed to return the deceased's body to its natural state and interact with nature's elements like water, heat, wind, and earth. Hindus also believe that this ceremony releases the soul from bad deeds and helps it attain reincarnation.
In Bali, the Ngaben ceremony has been passed down from generation to generation since the eighth century, and it continues to be an essential Hindu religious tradition. The purpose of this ritual is to cleanse the deceased's soul and accompany them into the next life.
Balinese Hindus believe that death switches off the physical and bodily functions, while the spirit or atma lives forever. Cremating the body and throwing the ashes into the river or sea helps release the atma from worldly bonds, making it easier for the deceased to unite with God. Additionally, burning the corpse aims to return all the elements of the Five Maha Bhutas to their origins.
Apart from its spiritual purposes, the Ngaben ceremony symbolizes that the family has given up the departure of the deceased and accepted their passing. The procession of this unique cultural ritual attracts both locals and tourists alike.
The Ngaben ceremony procession includes several steps, such as bathing the corpse in holy water and pairing special symbols like jasmine flowers, glass flakes, and diamond leaves to restore the body's function and enable the spirit to experience reincarnation. The family then prepares a wooden ox, used to hold the body that will later be cremated, to confuse the spirit of the deceased so that it does not find its way home. Finally, the body is cremated, and the ceremony is completed, freeing the spirit from the physical body and allowing it to continue its journey to other life forms.
How friends?? is it scary enough? Okay, maybe this is where our discussion about Bali's Ngaben Ceremony - A Traditional Ritual of Cremating Bodies, thanks for reading.
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