preparations for Upacara

I woke up to the sounds of "chop chop chop". The men were preparing the LAWAR... a ceremonial concoction made out of coconut, meat and BLOOD , (from the rooster that was croaking mournfully yesterday)

Nyoman  preparing festive offerings for the family temple

Ina and a host of friends and family preparing LAWAR

Since I have arrived, there has been an air of Industriousness that has actually worked its way into FERVOR. My family is having an Upacara (ceremony) in their family temple to bless their house.  It is not just this house..... but the 10 houses that comprise the Sudiana family ,(Janet deNeefe et al + all Honeymoon properties)  It's a huge family and I didn't realize that Everyone was involved into 3 nights ago when I was buying my nightly water and observed in the store that Jero (the proprietess) was also doing a lot of preparations (next to her sleeping daughter). I said, "Apa  kabar?"  and she responded by telling me that she was preparing for an upacara. I said so was My family....and then it all became clear that she was a cousin (Ina's father had three wives) and that everyone was In On This.

this offering cabang was created just like i paint.......... keep layering on the pieces

notice the Rice Gunung (mountains) very sacred

 

every generation gets in on the work: all Very SOCIAL- cousin Komang

CHop Chop Chop (her father- Ibu's brother)

Balinese food processor (coconut)it's actually electric

Pak Ina

yep , it's the first of the roosters to give its life for a higher purpose (I am trying to be Balinese)

I actually attempted to help yesterday.  Nyoman tried to instruct me how to do the very complicated cutting, twisting, pinning and creation of the bamboo ........ i was a complete Failure.  (I am an abstract painter).  very embarrassing........ but i should have been learning at her feet by age 3.  I gave up and documented..... and of course hung out with the women and made jokes!

 Little Ayu flitted from place to place..... making it all very exciting.....she is absorbing all of the traditions.......and interacting and amusing us ALL!  
Off to the beach today with Dee and friends.........
tomorrow morning at 7am..... the priest Will Arrive.  I'll be in the family temple with my kabaya,sarong and sash on............ready to bless this house temple and family






travelin' woman