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About Galungan and Kuningan Celebration in Bali
Galungan is a Balinese holiday celebrating the victory of dharma over adharma. It marks the time when the ancestral spirits visit the Earth. The last day of the celebration is Kuningan when they return.
Galungang - every 210 days
Celebrated by Balinese Hindus, Galungan is commemorated every 210 days and lasts for 10 days. Galungan is a celebration of the day of the victory of the Dharma (goodness) against Adharma (evil). Galungan word comes from the Old Javanese language means 'win'. Aside from being a celebration of victory, Galungan Day also commemorates the creation of the universe and its contents.
The Celebration
This year’s Galungan falls on 23 July 2019, where all Hindus will head to the temples around their homes wearing celebratory traditional clothes which are white dominated. The Hindus will bring offerings such as fresh fruit to the temple to be enjoyed together after the ceremony and praying take place. Every Galungan festivity you will surely see many bamboo pole ornaments (penjor) decorated using coconut leaves and ornaments from crops such as fruits, rice, corn, coconut, leaves and others on the side of the road in Bali. Installing penjor means gratitude for the prosperity and welfare that has been given by Hyang Widhi Wasa (God Almighty).
To honor the 10th day of Galungan, there is a Kuningan Day. On Kuningan, Hindus made yellow rice as a offerings symbolizes prosperity and gratitude to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God Almighty).
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The Traditions
In each village and areas, Balinese Hindus conduct different attractions and parade to celebrate the festive religious celebration days, below are some interesting and one of a kind tradition you may find in the island during the Galungan and Kuningan weeks.
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1 Ngelawang Barong
Ngelawang from the word lawang (door), a show that is carried out from house to house, from village to village using barong bangkung (barong in the form of a pig). From the mythology Dewi Ulun Danu who turned into a giant, to help villagers conquer evil spirits. In the past, this ritual was classified as sacred one, but nowadays Ngelawang is used as an art performance performed by children, by parading the barong around the village, accompanied by gamelan. Usually performed around Bali, around these areas: Ubud, Tanah Lot, Klungklung, Denpasar.
(photo by madewedastra)
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2 Perang Jempana
This tradition has existed since 1500, in Paksebali Village, Klungkung is a tradition done every Galungan where local residents carry a stretcher (jempana) with offerings and symbols of the Gods. The peak of this ritual is Ngambeng Jempana, which is the attraction of mutual encouragement between residents who carry jempana while accompanied by the sound of gong wasps.
Usually performed around Klungklung area.
(photo by akuduii)
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3 Gerebeg Mekotek
In Tabanan, Adat Munggu Village, in Mengwi to be exact, there is this long tradition each Galungan of bad spirit (bala) elimination parade called Gerebeg Mekotek. The mekotek tradition is done with 2.5 meters of peeled wood. Residents who participate in the tradition will be divided into several groups, from them they will elect one as command to give orders from the top of the pyramid. The commander will direct the group to crash into other groups. In addition to rejecting bala, Mekotek is also believed to be a request for blessings and asking for fertility for the local farmland.
Usually performed around Denpasar area.
(photo by tirto)
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The Galungan and Kuningan are celebrated lively and held openly, so this give chances to non-Balinese Hindus to also participate in the parades and celebration. Aside from Galungan and Kuningan’s religious ritual, the celebration also expose Bali and Balinese the tremendous dynamic spirit of the balance life of culture, traditions and nature.