Bali’s Sacred Heart
REVEALING THE ISLAND'S RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Destination 5 minute read
In Bali, rites, rituals and ceremonies – many derived from Hinduism – are the island’s heart, permeating every aspect of daily life, from birth to death. This sense of spiritualism is one of Bali’s deepest lures, whether you’re absorbing it in the ancient temples surrounding Ubud, or admiring the natural wonders of Canggu’s coastline.
Ritual is no tourist gimmick in Bali; for Balinese people, these customs are a vital part of maintaining cosmic balance, many of which you can encounter as a guest at COMO Uma Canggu, COMO Uma Ubud, and COMO Shambhala Estate.
Mageret Pandan
Tenganan Pegringsingan is a village in East Bali, around an hour-and-a-half’s drive from COMO Uma Ubud. It’s well worth a visit at any time of year, for its unique animist traditions, architecture and Gringsing production — a rare double ikat cloth. But the most extraordinary thing to see here happens each June or July, during the village’s annual Usaba Sambah festival.
Mageret Pandan is a series of mock battles held between young men, who wear traditional garments and use thorny pandan leaves as weapons. The ritual is dedicated to Indra, the Hindu god of war, and demonstrates the strength and bravery of the villagers.
Tumpek Kandang
Tumpek Kandang is a celebration of Bali’s domestic animals, which occurs every 210 days across the island, especially in rural and farming communities. The timing is down to the traditional Pawukon calendar system used in Bali to determine ceremonial dates.
On the day of Tumpek Kandang, prayers are made to Sang Hyang Rare Angon, the Hindu god of animals, while the animals themselves are given offerings and blessed with holy water in ceremonies led by priests. Cows, pigs and chickens are particularly venerated because they’re vital to a community’s prosperity.
Tumpek Landep
Tumpek Landep is another 210-day cycle ceremony, which is dedicated to metal objects – tools, vehicles and weapons among them. The deeper symbolism is in the sharpening of mind and spirit along with the metal: Balinese Hindus conduct the Tumpek Landep ceremony to seek intellectual clarity and spiritual strength. The ritual involves visiting family or community temples to perform prayers and placing offerings on metal objects to purify them.
Calonarang
This sacred ceremony combines dances and theatrical performances to ward off evil spirits. It’s based on ancient Balinese folklore, and tells the story of a powerful witch, Rangda, and her battles against the forces of good, represented by Barong, a lion-like creature. Calonarang ceremonies are tied to local religious observances, so their frequency is dependent on community needs and temple calendars. While not typically performed for vistors, you may be able to witness a Calonarang ceremony if a temple visit happens to coincide with one.
Nyepi
Nyepi, or the Day of Silence, marks the beginning of the Balinese New Year, which usually falls in March. The whole island falls quiet with no activities, no travel and no lights. It’s often regarded as a day for peaceful reset and spiritual rejuvenation. The quiet is all the more profound after the jubilation of the ogoh-ogoh procession of effigies which takes place the day before. Each of our Bali resorts marks Nyepi in different ways, including sound journeys and mindfulness classes.
Omed-omedan
The day after Nyepi is an unusual one in the village of Sesetan, around 30 minutes' drive from COMO Uma Canggu. In Sesetan, the annual Omed-omedan ritual pairs unmarried men and women to kiss, while onlookers douse them with water. The ritual is believed to bring blessings for prosperity and good health – and the combined giggles and gasps make for a lively contrast to the quiet reflection of the previous day.
Barong Landung
The Barong Landung ritual is an important part of the Galungan festival, celebrated every 210 days to mark the triumph of good over evil. It’s a performance that tells the story of a legendary romance between a Balinese king and a Chinese princess, and is accompanied by gamelan music. The next Galungan festival will take place at the end of November. The best place to see it for yourself is in Denpasar, around 40 minutes’ drive from COMO Uma Canggu.
Melukat
The Melukat, or water blessing, is one of Bali’s most important ceremonies, used to mark significant life events, after illness, or as part of a personal spiritual journey. At COMO Shambhala Estate, guests can receive a water blessing at an ancient spring sacred to the local community. A Hindu priest dressed in traditional Balinese attire will guide you through chanting and offerings, before splashing you with holy water to cleanse both mind and spirit.
To arrange a visit to a Balinese ceremony or experience its rituals firsthand, please contact our concierge at COMO Shambhala Estate, COMO Uma Ubud or COMO Uma Canggu.
