Have you ever heard of a mass kissing ritual, or a ceremony where people voluntarily stab themselves without drawing a single drop of blood ? Nope these are not racy orgies, nor some supernatural curse at work. In fact, they are traditions that the locals keep to in Bali.Bali is not just synonymous with beautiful water villa and celebrity weddings.It's a place steeped in rich culture and tradition, that are often hidden away from the tourist masses.So you think you know all about Bali? Time to think again as we bring you the strangest festivals you've never heard in the land of gods.
1.Metatah
Hindus ( Hindu Dharma ) living on the island of Bali in Indonesia have an interesting coming of age ceremony
during which children enter the world of adults. The ceremony is called Metatah or " tooth filling ceremony ". It is held during July and August.The whole ceremony is performed by a person of Brahman caste called "sangging". Before the ceremony a magic spell is done.The sangging has a special ruby ring which protect whole ceremony from powers of black magic.In 10-15 minutes long procedure of smoothing teeth he uses a small wooden mallet and an iron file. Local hindus believe that long teeth are symbols of vices.For them the filing of teeth cleans the bodyof bad things they call the "Sad Ripu" (six enemies) - "Kama" (lust),"Lobha"(greed), "Kroda" (anger), "Moha " ( anxiety ), " Mada " ( conceit ),and " Matsarya " ( envy ).After the ceremony the person will bite betel leaf.The Saliva created will be collected on the ivory coconut.Everything is finished with sprinkling of person with some "tirtha" ( purified water ).
2. Kiss a hundred strangers
If you think the conservative Balinese would be scandalised at the thought of making out in public, wait till you witness this mass smooching festival.The Omed - Omedan,which means pulling, or otherwise known as the Kissing Ritual,is a rite of passage the young unmarried residents in Sesetan,Denpasar got through on the first day of the Balinese New Year ( Sometime in March).Can you imagine being made to kiss in front of the entire village ? Then,to curb the fires of lust ( if you believe the traditions ) the kissers are thrown buckets of water ! Talk about dampering the mood!! Nturally,this is one of the highlights of the year for many local teenagers.Participation is also said to be able to ward off bad luck at the start of new year.We're sure that's just an excuse ( and a great way ) to find a date.
3.Stabbed but still alive
Have you ever seen a man fall into a trance and attempt to stab himself, but miraculously without drawing blood? You can witness this in a small village named Kesiman just outside of Denpasar,where the locals have been known to get
great protection from the island’s Hindu deities.During an intense ceremony called Ngeberong,Hindu spirits are summoned to earth with such a great power that it throws many participants into a trance.While in the trance,with the believed protection of the summoned spirits, the men of the village grab knives and plunge the razor - sharp blades deep into their necks and chestc,without drawing a single drop of blood.some men mysteriously gained so much strength that they even bend the blade against their own bodies.The painful ceremony serves as proof for the Balinese,Showing that they are indeed believed to have the protection of the gods,and that the men have brought safety and security to the village.Read more on https://indonesia.tripcanvas.co