Have you ever seen a traditional procession in Bali filled with parades, gamelan music, and colorful ornaments, yet carried out in a solemn and reverent atmosphere?
Many people are surprised when they witness a Ngaben ceremony for the first time. Although it is associated with death, the procession feels meaningful and filled with togetherness. So, what is the true meaning behind this sacred ritual?
Let’s explore more about the Ngaben tradition, its types, and the stages of the ceremony in this article.
For Balinese Hindus, death is not the end, but part of a spiritual journey toward the next life. Based on this belief, the Balinese Hindu community performs the Ngaben ceremony.
The Ngaben ceremony originates from Bali. Ngaben is a tradition believed to purify the soul of the deceased and guide it back to its original realm.
Philosophically, Ngaben aims to release the soul’s attachment to the physical world and return the elements that form the human body back to the universe. These elements are known as Panca Maha Bhuta, consisting of Akasa (space), Bayu (air/wind), Teja (fire/light), Apah (water/liquid), and Pertiwi (earth/solid matter).
The purpose of the cremation process in the Ngaben tradition is to release the physical elements of the body, while the prayers offered are meant to guide the soul so it can continue its journey peacefully.
Based on its practice, the Ngaben process is divided into several types, with the implementation adjusted to the condition of the body, the age of the deceased, and certain accompanying circumstances. Some types of Ngaben ceremonies include:
Ngaben Sawa Wedana is the most common and frequently performed type of Ngaben. This ceremony is carried out when the body (sawa) is still intact and has not yet been buried.
Usually, the body is temporarily laid to rest using various traditional preservation methods until an auspicious day for the Ngaben ceremony arrives.
This type of Ngaben requires fairly complex preparations, ranging from the making of ceremonial structures (bade or lembu), ritual offerings, to the pelebon or cremation procession, which marks the peak of the ceremony.
Unlike Sawa Wedana, Ngaben Asti Wedana is performed after the body has already been buried.
This ceremony is conducted by exhuming the grave to retrieve the remaining bones (asti), which are then cremated as part of the Ngaben procession.
This type is generally carried out due to financial limitations or certain conditions, leading families to choose to bury the body first and perform a complete Ngaben ceremony at a later time.
Ngaben Swasta is a Ngaben ceremony performed without the presence of the physical body. This situation usually occurs when the body cannot be found or cannot be cremated, such as in cases of sea accidents, natural disasters, or other specific incidents.
As a substitute for the body, the family uses symbolic representations, such as photographs of the deceased, paintings, or a replica of the body made from sandalwood.
Ngaben Ngelungah is a type of Ngaben intended for children who have not yet experienced the shedding of their baby teeth. Generally, this ceremony is performed for children around 5–6 years old.
Ngaben Warak Kruron is a type of Ngaben intended for infants, usually aged 0–12 months. Since infants are considered pure and not yet strongly bound by worldly ties, this Ngaben ceremony is typically carried out with a shorter and simpler procession.
The Ngaben ceremony is not a ritual that is carried out in a short time. It requires extensive preparation and the involvement of many people. Below are the procedures and stages of the Ngaben ceremony:
The Ngaben procession begins with Ngulapin, a ritual to call back the soul (Atma) of the deceased so it may return and reunite with the body.
This ritual can be performed in various places, such as the family home, the sea, or other specific locations, depending on the family’s beliefs and circumstances.
The next stage is the process of bathing and cleansing the body. During this stage, various symbols are used, such as flowers and ceremonial items, which represent the hope that the soul will be reborn in a perfect and pure state.
In the Ngajum Kajang procession, a special cloth or paper inscribed with sacred scripts is used as a spiritual symbol. Family members touch or press the kajang as a sign of sincerity and readiness to let go of the deceased.
Ngaskara is a ritual for the spiritual purification of the soul. This stage aims to cleanse the Atma from worldly attachments so it can return to the presence of the Creator and continue its journey in peace.
The Mameras procession is performed only if the deceased has grandchildren. In local belief, the presence of grandchildren symbolizes life fulfillment and serves as spiritual guidance for the soul to follow the right path.
The Papegatan stage comes from the word “pegat”, meaning “to break.” In this ritual, the family symbolically breaks emotional bonds with the deceased as a sign of acceptance, allowing the soul to proceed unhindered to the next realm.
The body is then carried to the cremation site in the Pakiriman Ngutang procession. This procession is usually lively, accompanied by Balinese gamelan music. At certain points, the bier is rotated as a symbol of farewell to worldly life.
Ngeseng is the peak of the Ngaben ceremony, marking the cremation process itself. The ritual is led by a priest or religious leader. The ashes and remaining bones are then collected as part of the next stages.
After the cremation is complete, the ashes are scattered into the sea or a river in the Nganyud procession. This stage symbolizes the return of physical elements to the universe and the release of all worldly impurities.
As the final stage, the Mangelud or Mangoras ritual is performed, usually several days after the Ngaben ceremony. This ritual aims to cleanse the home and surrounding environment from mourning energy, while also marking the return to normal life.
Below are some of the purposes of conducting the Ngaben ceremony according to Balinese Hindu tradition:
That concludes our discussion of the Ngaben ceremony tradition, especially for those of you who are interested in learning more about the rich cultures of Bali.
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Author is part of the Gosek Adventure Bali team, dedicated to sharing practical tips, travel inspiration, and insider insights to help you enjoy the best experiences in Bali.
