A Short History of Balinese Cremation

By Degung Santikarma

The cremation ceremony is one of the most po­tourist attractions in Bali - a spectacular rite ins - the labour of hundreds of people, thousands of - offerings, and expenses worth several years of a Balinese's salary. But while cremations are part _ standing tradition, they also reflect the social sh w changes taking place in contemporary Bali .



For Balinese Hindus, the burning of the boc. step in a ritual process meant to free the soul c - from its worldly ties, and return the body to the - ments - earth, fire, water, wind, and space. It er-:­soul to join the ranks of the deified ancestors w, over the living, and to reincarnate in the body of a chield.­

While tourists sometimes express discomfc thought of attending the last rites of someone for Balinese, death is a public affair. When a Bali nese dies, the news is broadcast to the village by po,.­a kulkul split gong. The extended family and mew the banjar (village) rush to help with the prepar-:­Packed on ice, the body lies in state, with food -: laid out for it and for the stream of guests. As cw must not be alone, a group of men keep a 24-h_ guard, fuelled by coffee, cigarettes, and palm liqr, entertained by all-night gambling sessions.