Preparing for Galungan

everyone contributes,this is their value in community.
Both genders and every age

involve themselves in the ongoing processes  of their

celebrations and festivals.

 Such electricity in the air!
For days everyone has had such purpose...... in resourcefulness and artistry.
In the family compound where I stay the mother, Nyoman, her daughter, Kadek and a host of relatives have been gluing "jewels" on the fabrics, the whir of the sewing machine is constant,and the sessions long.  Ina has  been pounding chilies for the sauces.
I want to talk about penjors.   These are huge bamboo posts decorated and then hoisted in front of a home.  Two, if there will be a marriage during Galungan.

ripe rice hangs from penjor

blessing the penjor

the coconut fronds are utilized to create objects of beauty

each artfully decorated

to create the NAGA

For those of you who have been to Angkor Wat, the Naga is represented throughout.... the giant snake /serpent of creation. This is a Hindu holiday, therefore only celebrated in Indonesia on Bali.  Their spiritual life is derived by their original culture of animism.  Hinduism came to Bali about 1000 years ago. There is a comingeling  of both........ but for those who have been to India or Nepal, the practice of Hinduism is quite different in Bali.
First, they are Not vegetarians and secondly, they worship with water not fire!  Their Hinduism is an overlay to their original ancestral beliefs and indigenous culture.

Ibu Ibu Roda creates

this will be the mouth of the Naga ready for offerings

to the right you will see the pintu/ door leading into the family temple....... all newly redecorated for the holiday

t

travelin' woman