Albert Aniel Photography Bali 2011

CREMATIONS IN BALI

On the day of the ngaben the body is transported to the Pura Dalem in a funeral tower. The tower is made out of wood and bamboo

The funeral tower can be a couple to 10 meters high.The tower consists of three levels, of which the platform is the highest.

The base of the tower is built on bamboo poles which is then placed on the shoulders of a group of men who will carry the tower to the temple.

In order to ensure that the soul of the deceased doesn't find his/her way back home the men confuse it by twisting, twirling and making full circles with the tower.

In front of the procession another group of men are carrying the sarcophagus, often in the form of a black bull. It is a impressive structure and the decorations are often very grand as a lot of gold is used in the decorations.

The sarcophagus always arrives first at the temple, and waits here for the funeral tower to arrive. There is a opening on the back of the bull in which the body will be placed.

Then the sarcophagus is set on fire in order to purify the deceased.

The initial purification of the deceased is a fact only when the whole sarcophagus is turned into ashes.

The white ashes of the bones are separated from the others and then places with flowers into yellow and white cloth.

Only then is the soul of the deceased ready for the final ceremony, in which the soul of deceased is awaken by the priest one final time.