Bali — Cremation Ceremony at Penebel Kaja, Bali, Indonesia

Witnessing a cremation in Bali

August 2015

On my drive around Bali with Ubud Taxi, while heading for Warung Dhea Jatiluwih, we came across a traffic jam in a small village called Penebel Kaja. At first, I thought it was because of some big party or festival in the town; however, it turned out to be a cremation.

The first hint that we may be in a traffic jam for some time was the stream of motorbikes and scooters turning around and heading back. So, I walked up the road to see what was going on.

What I saw was a funeral procession started to come down the hill from the village. It looked like a celebration — a wedding or engagement — and only later, I discovered it was a funeral.

The ‘floats’ were spectacular, and I thought the first one to come into sight was big. I was wrong. It was small when compared to the later ‘floats’.

I loved all the colours and the dragon’s head.

Then came the villagers.

The whole process was accompanied by music.

And they played some interesting instruments.

And even more, people came.

Then there appeared to be a stampede of people — who seemed to be concerned as to what was coming down the road next.

And the final float to come down the road was massive.

I was amazed that they managed to carry the float down the road and get it up the steep slope into the area where the ceremony was to be performed.

Considering it was what I would think of as a sad occasion, that is, a funeral, the colours and sounds of the event made it spectacular. The size of the ‘floats’ that the villagers were carrying were staggering. The entire village seemed to have turned up for the event.