From Bali Update Editor
The People of Ubud, Bali Host a Birthday Party for the Hundreds of Primates Living in the Sacred Monkey Forest.
The Bali-Hindu religious calendar has a cycle of holidays, each one dedicated to honoring different elements of our daily life from books, tree, and even the vehicles we drive.
On Saturday February 26, 2011, the people of Bali set aside one day to pay special homage to the hundreds of monkeys that inhabit the Monkey Forest in downtown Ubud. Held biennially according to the Balinese year of 210 days, or once every 420 days, the ritual is the official birthday party for the monkeys who inhabit the forest and who generally harass visitors for food and handouts.
This year's ceremony commenced with prayers offered by a Hindu priest at 3:00 pm and was attended by hundreds of monkeys, local officials, and a sizable group of curious island visitors. Spread across the ritual altar were bountiful displays of fruits, cakes and other food stuffs that formed the offerings to the gods necessary to re-sanctify the Monkey Forest and seek the Almighty's blessing on the primates who live there.
Although normally known for their aggressive behavior whenever their food and tourists are about, the hundreds of monkeys watched the ceremony at a respectful distance and only descended on the delicious offerings at the end of the prayers when the essence of the food items had been offered through prayers to the heavens.
On Saturday February 26, 2011, the people of Bali set aside one day to pay special homage to the hundreds of monkeys that inhabit the Monkey Forest in downtown Ubud. Held biennially according to the Balinese year of 210 days, or once every 420 days, the ritual is the official birthday party for the monkeys who inhabit the forest and who generally harass visitors for food and handouts.
This year's ceremony commenced with prayers offered by a Hindu priest at 3:00 pm and was attended by hundreds of monkeys, local officials, and a sizable group of curious island visitors. Spread across the ritual altar were bountiful displays of fruits, cakes and other food stuffs that formed the offerings to the gods necessary to re-sanctify the Monkey Forest and seek the Almighty's blessing on the primates who live there.
Although normally known for their aggressive behavior whenever their food and tourists are about, the hundreds of monkeys watched the ceremony at a respectful distance and only descended on the delicious offerings at the end of the prayers when the essence of the food items had been offered through prayers to the heavens.
The day to honor animals is part of the Balinese belief in 'Tri Hita Karana,’ which requires the maintenance of balance and harmony between man and nature. This ceremony for the various types of animals that live in the Monkey Forest, and especially for the monkeys, is made so the animals remain healthy and tame.
After the prayer ceremony concluded, those in attendance shared raw eggs, a variety of fruits, and assorted cakes with the attentive monkeys that emerged from the forest to attend the 'birthday party' held in their honor.
After the prayer ceremony concluded, those in attendance shared raw eggs, a variety of fruits, and assorted cakes with the attentive monkeys that emerged from the forest to attend the 'birthday party' held in their honor.
Not sure I'd want RAW eggs. But what a short Balinese year, giving truth to the saying, "For a 90 year old, you look awfully young."
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Bali some day. Wonder if my nephew would show me around. He still lives there with his girlfriend and father.