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The island Hindu
religious leaders are saddened to see more and more local people
start wearing black clothing during Balinese traditional funeral
ceremonies. This western
tradition, mainly ‘imported’ through Hollywood movies,
is against Balinese Hindu
belief: death is not an end or punishment, rather a golden bridge
to heaven, to begin a new life in a different, better dimension.
Death also gives humans the opportunity to improve their life
qualities through reincarnation. Rather than grieving death,
Balinese celebrate.
Funeral cremations are held in the same wondrous, bright manner
as daily activities. This attitude of celebrating even sad event
is well portrayed the way clothing is chosen.
Golden, colorful, brilliant, bright and sometime
contrasting are the nuances of traditional Balinese attires.
Even in the funeral ceremony brilliant colors should be chosen
instead of dark-black shirts. The Hindu
religious body often staged fashion show featuring not latest
style, but promoting colorful funeral clothing, to counter the
“imported” tradition.
Indeed Balinese taught to accept life, or death,
in happiness. “Expect the best, prepare for the worst,
accept the result stoically” is the golden rule that keeps
Balinese smiling, in all stages of their life. Balinese express
happiness and sadness almost in similar manner. Frequently during
cremation periods there are parties and dances.
Uniquely, dances, songs, games and often gambling are not aimed
at offending family members, rather to entertain them and put
their sadness aside.
If, for example, a road accident claims a life,
the family often simply accepts it as the way it goes. Instead
of quarreling for compensation, most Balinese accept it as a
fate.
In the past, most wives especially of Rajahs would jump into
the fire on the husband’s funeral pyre, to show their
love and devotion. Before jumping, the dressed in the finest
colorful costume and make ups and smiled at celebrative mourners
to show that were happy to do this. This tradition, known as
masatya or labuh geni, was abandoned since
Dutch colonist banned the practice when the captured Bali in
1906.
Balinese avoid dark or black clothing as the
color is often associated with black magic, evil spirit and
peace disturbance. In contract, white is believed as the color
for peaceful spirit. Yellow (pr golden yellow) also is a favorite
as this represents God Wisnu, the preserver of the universe.
Golden yellow is the dominant color in many
ritual ceremonies. Gold portrays happiness and prosperity and
is color chosen to represent hope for better life. This is best
portrayed in a wedding ceremony. There will be no grooms in
black suit as in Western culture; instead both bride and groom
are “decorated” with rather excessive golden accessories.
The gold evokes prosperity for the couple’s future.
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