Ngedeblag

Today I would like to share about one of the tradition in Bali, As we know Bali has many culture
and tradition, Including dance, ceremony, custom, cloth, cuisine and much more. On this
opportunity I want to raise about tradition Ngedeblag ceremony. Tradition Ngedeblag ceremony
conducted only in Kemenuh village, Sukawati sub-district, Gianyar. The procession is celebrated
in every one day before the switchover sasih Kajeng POND fifth and sixth sasih (Balinese
calendar) which is held once a year in order to anticipate changes in the coming season, so avoid
disasters, such as landslides, floods and disease and endowed safety. The ceremony was
performed by residents Kemenuh tutun generations.

Ngedeblag ceremony is unique tradition, consisting by hundreds of children, adolescents and

adults, clustered with a creepy decoration or facial appearance was often painted like-comedian.
They walked around the village carrying holy water (Tirta memundut), by parading a pair of
sacred barong, while sounding the gamelan, gong, or household furniture, palm tree leaves, and
then continue to held a procession around the village. Every a couple of Barong past the end of
each village, the people will doing the ceremony .

Also every crossroads, the mothers welcomed the arrival of the procession with offerings, deliver
to puja puja for natural cleansing, neutralizing negative spirits. Because they believe the world
has been soiled by human activity, so it needs to be cleaned.
Self-Stabbing Ritual at Ngerebong in Bali

Fascinating article regarding Self-Stabbing rituals a mystical-like custom, the Ngerebong

Ceremony which takes place at the Pengerebongan Temple in Bali. Ritualistic ceremonies are
nothing new in Indonesia with all forms of religion still maintaining some essence of the original
animist roots be it Islam, Christianity or Buddhism but Bali with its particular take on Hinduism
which is accessible to any interested observer continues to amaze not only foreign tourists but
also domestic visitors to the island with its very own unique cultural traditions steeped in history
with origins dating far back in time. Bali is unique as far as Religion goes remaining
predominantly Hindu in a veritable sea of Islam mainly due to cultural barriers. The likes of
Sumatra, Java and parts of Kalimantan were from around the 5th to 14th centuries CE devoutly
Hindu until Buddhism took hold and later Islam which continues to this day but it never really
spread as far as Bali and its smaller islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa
Lembongan. Hindus still exist on other islands but in small pockets. This small island which to
surfers and holiday makers has become known as the paradise island a tag which has spread
around the world due to its idyllic beaches, beautiful climate and relaxed way of life is much
more than that with its culture and traditions originating from the Indian Subcontinent mixed
with animisim, the original belief system. The religion in Bali remains strong yet has taken
somewhat of a twist with its religious celebrations which most definitely vary compared to
Indian Hindu celebrations yet are no less colourful, extravagant, and at times quite bizarre due in
part to this hybrid form of Hinduism with its mix of mysticism and superstition thrown in for
good .One such fascinating mystical-like custom is the Ngeruk Ceremony which has also come
to be known as the Ngerebong Ceremony due to it taking place at the Pengerebongan Temple
(Pura Pengerbong) in the small village of Kesiman in East Denpasar. This occurs every 210 days
according to the length of the traditional Balinese Pawukon calendar which most Balinese
Ceremonies adhere to. The Pawukon calender shouldnt be confused with the Saka Calender
which is almost the same as the Gregorain calender, one that is used worldwide and follows the
Lunar cycle which provides reference for Balinese New Year or Nyepi. The Ngerebong
ceremony coincides with the Temples Piodalan or Odalan for short (Temple Anniversary) and
falls eight days after Kuningan (more about Kunningan here). The villagers themselves perform
this ceremony as thanks to God and to prevent evil forces disturbing the human race and any
disaster occuring among them. It is an all day event which begins with the usual devotional
practices of taking offerings such as Canang Sari and fruits to Pura Pengerebongan Temple with
devotees dressed in their finest ceremonial clothes. Balinese women are clothed in beautiful
finery of traditional Kebaya (uppermost) consisting of white lace top and for the lower half
intricately woven Balinese Kain or Batik Sarong with flowers placed in tied back hair and a
coloured sash around the waist. The men less elaborate but looking just as respectful wear the
whites (symbolizing purity) consisting of the Kain or Batik sarong also, plain shirt and Udeng
the Balinese male headband or headwear used for such occasions. This goes on from late
morning until mid afternoon due to the sheer numbers of people wishing to be accommodated
and allowed to accomplish their ritual purification. There is a constant stream of adherents
coming and going who wish to give their offerings which are placed on altars by temple staff and
to be blessed by priests amidst blankets of fragrant incense smoke and the musical notes of
traditional Gamelan music wafting through the air. The inner compound of the Temple becomes
increasingly full of bodies by the time Rangda and Barong arrive, the mythical creatures of
Balinese mythology. A note about these two all important characters of Bali Myth and Legend
who are actually the most significant figures of the whole Ngeruk Ritual. Rangda is known as the
baby eating Queen of the witches (Leyak) who wears a skull necklace and Barong is the good
guy if you will, even though he looks as bizarre and frightening as Rangda!
Nevertheless the Lion-like Barong is the King of the spirits of the good and Rangda is his arch
enemy. At some point in the proceedings Ngerebong ritual starts with the Tabuh Rah ceremony
in the Wantilan or open air hall outside of the main Temple where blood is shed at a cockfight,
many people gather to view the bloody outcome. Sometime after this hundreds of spectators take
position in or around the Wantilan from where the Ngeruk ritual or Self-Stabbing with the Kris
(traditional knife believed to be sacred with magical powers). Chosen men who have fallen into
trance and have lost control of their bodies are led around the Wantilan by guards and escorts
three times with a whole procession of other men and women (some women also in trance
wailing and screaming or crying who dont use the Kris to stab themselves) and a number of
Rangda and Barong characters. This takes around an hour to complete due to much stopping and
starting as those in trance without any cue decide amidst much chaotic screaming and shouting
that its time to stab themselves in the neck or chest to the astonishment of all those watching. It
is a frenzied exercise as the tranced out men feverishly try to penetrate the skin but try as they
may the sacred Kris or traditional Dagger will fortunately not pierce the skin!

The Ngerebong Ceremony dates back about a hundred years and is connected to the Rangda and
Barong story of yore and their involvement during the ceremonial parade and the actually self-
stabbing ritual dates back it is said to the time of King Airlangga. One simplified version of the
story goes that Rangda took umbridge and decided to cast a spell on the forces of King Airlingga
which would make them take up the Sacred Kris or dagger and kill themselves but Barong
stepped in and reciprocated by casting a spell which would make the Dagger unable to enter the
flesh hence protecting King Airlinggas forces from suicide. It is ultimately a classic story of
Good versus Evil and the forces of good overcoming evil.