Bali is the largest Hinduism place outside India, but its practice is very different to that in India. Balinese has developed their own Hinduism from the interpretation of religious ideas from China, India, and Java. It is called Agama Tirta or "Science of the Holy Water".
Balinese have their own ceremonies. They also believe on reincarnation or cycle of life, but they have a special way to celebrate birth and dead.
They assume a foetus comes from the heaven. After birth, the baby is still considered a spirit, receiving the name of gods during the first year.
In the fisher village of Amed, East Bali, a baby is receiving the Nelubulanin or three-month ceremony, by which she is allowed to touch the ground and gets her name, entering on the earthly or material world and attaining a fullincarnation of human status.
People from the whole village come to the ceremony and make offerings for the baby. She also receives some rice or solid food to eat for first time.
At night the men play music while women dance to the rhythm, until the baby retire to bed where a pig stood the whole the day to bring her food, health and prosperity during her life. |
