Alas Kedaton's Photo
The name of
Tumpek Kandang is derived from two words, "Tumpek" meaning Saturday
and "Kandang", the Balinese word for the household animals such as
cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs, and birds - all of which are highly valued
by the Balinese. Tumpek Kandang is a day to worship Sang Hyang Rare-Angon (God
of animals).
“The Tumpek
Kandang ceremonies honor the supremacy of Ida Sang Hyang
Widhi, Sang Hyang Siwa Pasupati – also known as Rare Angon, the
spiritual shepherd of all wild and domesticated animals. “According to Balinese
Hindu teachings, harmony between man, the animal kingdom and nature as a whole
must always be maintained. Humanity must seek a harmonious coexistence with
nature – including all the globe’s flora and fauna.”
Tumpek
Kandang is
celebrated every 210 days on the
Balinese calendar, of Saturday (Sabtu Kliwon Wuku Uye).
On this day,
we offer praise and thanks to the Creator for the continuing welfare of our animals. Household animals in Bali will receive a
special honor when local Hindus celebrate Tumpek Kandang Day, a ceremony
dedicated to Sang Hyang Rare-Angon, master of all cattle and livestock.
This
year's Tumpek Kandang Day is on the November 26, 2016. The rituals will be held at every farm and
family compound. OR you can also see the special elaborate ceremonies in
several places in Bali like Bali Safari and Marine Park, Alas Kedaton in
Tabanan Regency, Tanah Lot, Wake Resto & Dolphin Bali Pantai
Keramas, Blahbatuh Gianyar, and Bali Zoo.
Especially, Cows
in Bali receive better treatment than other animals because they assist farmers
when plowing the rice field. The cows are washed and dressed-up in clothes fit
for humans and special cone shaped spiral of coconut leaves is placed on their
horns.
The pigs are
usually decorated with a white cloth wrapping their bellies. The animals are
then fed with special foods, sprinkled with rice, holy water, chanting, and
prayers are offered.
In the
ritual procession, devotees invoke blessing in order their cattle could be
bestowed with prime healthy and safety. However, philosophically the Tumpek
Kandang celebration implies that people should develop compassion for all the
living creatures. In the economic context, the procession mandates that the agricultural
sector in the broader sense (livestock) can be developed to strengthen the
economic foundations of society. Similarly, the prayers are also recited for
other livestock such as pigs, goats, chickens and ducks. Even, a pig for the
Hindu community in Bali is often used as a sort of saving or piggy bank. In the
emergency case they can be sold to meet the needs of families.
As the
animals destined for human food, chickens, ducks, pigs and so forth are often
used as a protein source to support the human life, and those animals need
special care. However, For those the
endangered species, should be preserved. For instance, green turtles, Bali
starlings, deer, monkeys, and many others.
Balinese people also associate some animals with mythology. For
instance, the animals are regarded as the property (duwe) of God such as the white cow, ape, fruit bats, snake and others.
Through the mythology, devotees are actually encouraged to conserve the
wildlife by preserving them based on religious concepts. Mythology seems much
more powerful than a call or an appeal to preserve the endangered species.
In the Balinese
Hindu concept, no single thing is without the power of God. Inside them lay the
soul (the Jiwatma), for this reason the concept of developing compassion for
all the God’s creatures should be continued. Through the celebration Tumpek
Kandang, people should develop them well for the benefit of life and preserve
the endangered species in order not to become extinct.
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