omed - omedan

So many people, young and old, men and women, natives and foreigners came in flocks to see a unique ritual in Banjar Kaja, Sesetan village, South Denpasar, a day after Nyepi. The old men from Banjar Kaja sprinkle the road. A moment later, while the members of sekaa teruna teruni Satya Dharma Kerti (youth organization; in Banjar Kaja, its youth organization is named Satya Dharma Kerti) was praying, a Barong dance was held. After the praying and dancing session was over, the core of this ritual came.

The teenagers came out to the road. The boys were in left and the girls were in right. They were wetted by the adult ones. Balinese gambelan (traditional instrument) were played. The boys chose one of their members, so did the girls. Those chosen people were pushed by the others. “Omed-omedan” was started,


They pushed his and her waist. Gambelan player played another tune, more and more beat. They pushed their own member until the chosen ones met in the middle of the road, and both of the chosen embraced and kissed each other. However, the girls were so shy to do this ritual in public that the girls sometimes avoid the embraces and kisses. It was a totally different story for the boys. They were always excited to embrace and kiss the girls. Moreover, there was a boy took a minute longer to do that. For that reason the old men sprinkled them with so much water. Then the chosen were pulled back to their position by the others. Those push and pull were done for several times with different chosen people.

Attractive chosen people attracted more audiences to scream and push the others audiences because they want to see from closer distance The audiences which passed the border were also sprinkled. Whoop….so wet!
Another information if you want to come to see this tradition is do not forget to protect your camera and others electronic things. Who knows yours will be sprinkled too.

This tradition attracted teen audiences to join it. A girl from audiences came in to the girls’ position, wanted to join omed-omedan. Unluckily, she was rejecteded. Indeed, the outsiders were not allowed to join. “ Omed-omedan only for our teenagers,” said Kelian Adat (Leader of Banjar) Banjar Kaja, I Wayan Sunarya firmly. Well, what is the reason to do this tradition every year? And is it possible because of omed-omedan, a boy and a girl falling in love then get married? Find the answers out on the next posting.
more posting about omed-omedan