The Balinese prayers go to the whole world during this Covid-19 outbreak

By Ekarini

For more info: Bali Travel Info

The Balinese people offer offering shaped human body (called Segehan Wong-Wongan) accompany with certain chanting and mantra, to expel Covid-19. Ask God for help. The human shaped offering will place in front of the house entrance at dusk.

Below are examples of Wong-Wongan offerings are made based on each person's artistic creativity.

Courtesy photos: Social Media posts

The Office of the Promotion of Indigenous Peoples of the Province of Bali has issued an order letter to Hindus in Bali to perform the ritual as a form of reinforcement against the COVID-19 outbreak. One of them with the Pejati (offerings) named Segehan Wong-wongan. It is believed that this is a Niskala (spiritual/ unseen) effort aside from Sekala (real/ seen) to avoid corona outbreaks.

This special ritual is one of the local wisdoms that has become a tradition from hundreds of years in dealing with situations such as epidemics or pandemics. "Banten or offering is placed in front of the yard or entrance of the house, the implementation is carried out during Sandikala (at dusk around 6 pm) when Kajeng Kliwon,"

The offering Wong-Wongan consists of colorful rice placed on a banana leaf and given ginger, shallots, and chili.

In the context of Hindu theology, the elements contained in Segehan have their own meaning.  According to I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa, Romo Poniman, in ancient literature has been mentioned a lot.

"This is a form of reinforcements. Corona outbreaks are manifestations of bhutakala in order to eat humans made from rice," he explained.

"The base of the leaves symbolizes the earth, white rice symbolizes dualism, ginger, scientifically has a hot nature. Spirit is needed by humans but should not be emotional," he said

Besides onions, it has a cold nature. "Humans must use cold heads to do things, but they must not be cold toward social problems (ignorant),"

Salt, having PH-0 means neutral, salt is an efficacious means to neutralize various energies that are detrimental to humans. "Five colors (manca colors) are manifestations of God (the Mighty God). Black colors symbolize the God Wishnu, White God Iswara, red God Brahma, yellow Mahadeva, and Brumbun (mixed-5 color) are Shiwa,"

"These five colors also symbolize the corners of the wind, all the calamities that come from all directions can be neutralized," he added. Related to various forms, he stressed, it was a form of human creation. "The important thing is that the elements are in line with what is directed, namely mancawarna rice," he concluded.

Stay Healthy and Happy!