Story of Indonesia, Every Picture Tells A Story

Sindangbarang, a village not too far from Bogor sought to restore its ancient tradition as the final procession of Seren Taun Guru Bumi took place on Monday, January 23rd , 2011. After a week full of sacred ceremonies, the procession came to a pinnacle with the harvest parade or the helaran dongdang followed by the rice mating or Majikeun Pare in the heart of the Sindangbarang Cultural Village. As a tradition that dated back to the age of Padjadjaran Kingdom, the Seren Taun Guru Bumi Ceremony was not merely a series of sacred rituals, but also a time of festivities. Villagers and crowds from everywhere could join in and mingle in this annual celebration. The celebration was also a time where nature and God are praised, cultures are honored, and wisdoms are passed down.

Photo by Andika Saputra/www.indonesia.travel.

The 9th Raja of Puri Agung Peliatan Bali, Ida Dwagung Peliatan, passed away on August 20th, 2010 at the age of 71. The resplendent cremation took place on November 2, 2010, eye-witnessed by thousands of people from around the globe, following dozens of extensive preparations and sacred rites. To Balinese, death is far from grievance. It is, on the contrary, an important process of transporting soul to the holy place in heaven. As a Raja of Peliatan, the king in traditional authority, formed in the 17th century, Ida Dwagung Peliatan has, on his own merits, reached to a level of a Brahma, revered by other existing traditional kingdoms, in Bali and other parts in the country.