For Hindus in Bali, a sign that someone is an adult can be marked by the unique tradition of Balinese Teeth-filing Ceremony
The Teeth-filing Ceremony or what is usually referred to as Potong Gigi, Mepandes, Metatah or Mesangih in Indonesian or Balinese language is a ceremony to find true human nature, to release from the shadow of Sad Ripu. Sad Ripu are six types of enemies that exist in humans. These are:
Kama - Lust/Negative desire
Lobha - Greed
Krodha - Anger
Mada - Intoxication
Moha - Confusion /Foolishness
Matsarya - Jealously
This Ceremony also interpreted as payment of debts by parents to their children.
The Tooth-filing Ceremony is part of the Yadnya Ceremony in Bali, which is carried out by children who are teenagers or adults. With the characteristics of the child has got: menstruation for women and an enlarged voice for men.
The implementation of this ceremony is sacred and on certain days chosen by Hindu priests. The invitees who come are also limited, only for families.
In the vicinity of the ceremony, there are only priests as leaders of religious ceremonies, sangging who will sharpen teeth, and their parents.
While lying down, the child will show his teeth. The officer is ready to file the upper 6 teeth. Teeth will be filed neatly and evenly. After that, rinsed and thrown into a wrapped young coconut.
Next is the prayer procession, grateful for the success of this ceremony.
The Balinese worship ritual before and after Teeth-filing Ceremony.
Bali has a lot of ancestral cultural heritage, which still exists in the community. And the Balinese carry out this tradition with sincerity and maintain the tradition so that it is not lost due to the influence of the modern world.
Even though the times have developed, the traditional rituals in Bali are still being maintained. Such as Bali Tooth-filing Ceremony. 22pb