Wednesday, December 31, 2003
"Roast" beef and suckling pig
We were in luck!
A funeral to attend in Bali.
In fact, there were four funerals at the same tine.
The possession starts from the main junction in Ubud (next to the Ubud Palace).
The tall structures are carried for 2 kms to the temple (Pura Dalem Puri).
Balinese are predominately Hindus. The sapi (cow) is a sacred animal.
The dead is sent off in large cow figurines. (Black cow for men and white for women)
The dead body is placed in the figure and burnt. Balinese believe in man originates from three elements - earth, fire and water. In death, man is symbolically returned in the similar manner.
Back to the earth...
Immediately after the death, the body is first buried.
Then, the body is excavated from the grave.
Back to fire...
A cremation ceremony takes place. The body is burnt to ashes.
Back to water...
After the cremation, the bones and ashes are retrieve. The remains are floated into the sea.
The cremation expenses are enormous; besides the priest's fees, the great amounts of holy water used and the costly tower coffins offerings like suckling pig. There is the food and entertaiment provide for days for the hundreds of guest and assistants that help in the ceremonies. Total costs can run into the millions of rupiah (the highest...about USD25,000 for royalties).
It is not uncommon that the actual cremation can take place months or years after the actual death of the person.
Cremation ceremonies is an occasion for gaiety and not for mourning, since it represents the liberation of their souls so that they can attain the higher worlds.
Photo: Fiery sent-off to the higher worlds
We were in luck!
A funeral to attend in Bali.
In fact, there were four funerals at the same tine.
The possession starts from the main junction in Ubud (next to the Ubud Palace).
The tall structures are carried for 2 kms to the temple (Pura Dalem Puri).
Balinese are predominately Hindus. The sapi (cow) is a sacred animal.
The dead is sent off in large cow figurines. (Black cow for men and white for women)
The dead body is placed in the figure and burnt. Balinese believe in man originates from three elements - earth, fire and water. In death, man is symbolically returned in the similar manner.
Back to the earth...
Immediately after the death, the body is first buried.
Then, the body is excavated from the grave.
Back to fire...
A cremation ceremony takes place. The body is burnt to ashes.
Back to water...
After the cremation, the bones and ashes are retrieve. The remains are floated into the sea.
The cremation expenses are enormous; besides the priest's fees, the great amounts of holy water used and the costly tower coffins offerings like suckling pig. There is the food and entertaiment provide for days for the hundreds of guest and assistants that help in the ceremonies. Total costs can run into the millions of rupiah (the highest...about USD25,000 for royalties).
It is not uncommon that the actual cremation can take place months or years after the actual death of the person.
Cremation ceremonies is an occasion for gaiety and not for mourning, since it represents the liberation of their souls so that they can attain the higher worlds.
Photo: Fiery sent-off to the higher worlds
