Mabuug Buugan

• 08 Maret 2019
• Kedonganan Beach, Jimbaran Bali
• read: 1057 Visitor

Mebug-Buugan or mud war is an ancestral heritage tradition of Kedonganan Village, Badung Regency. Continuing annually on Ngembak Geni Day or the day after Balinese celebrate Nyepi or Silent Day in March. Mebuug-buugan comes from the word buug which means mud and bhu which means exist or form. From there on, the bhur word which means earth appeared. The kind of tradition is strong in philosophy. Mud represents water and land is a source of human being's life. People in Kedonganan believed that mud is a symbol of mother earth and expresses their gratitude for god's resourcefulness.

Dirt in the form of soil or mud is reflected as a form of Bhuta or an evil spirit attached to humans which must be cleansed. This tradition has been existed and implemented for hundreds of years or around 1920s.

People in the past used to wash their hair with mud before the shampoo found. After being tested by experts, mud contains mineral which is good for the skin. Men will be bare-chested while women still wearing a dress. By the purpose of making lousy energy moving out from everybody who was participating it. Balinese put mud on their body during a mud bath tradition. Men of Kedonganan including children and adults would gather nearby the mangrove forest to throw mud at each other and have a bath mud afterward. It follows the cleansing bodies and souls performed before and during Nyepi. Some local and tourist who saw the rituals also got some mud splashed on them. After the ceremony finished, Balinese are ready to start the new year with a pure soul.

• 08 Maret 2019
• Kedonganan Beach, Jimbaran Bali
• read: 1057 Visitor