

about
Mesbes Bangke
The ritual of Mesbes Bangke translates as "tearing the corpses." As scary as the name sounds, the ritual is even more frightening. This ritual is currently held only as a tradition. However, it may seem unique and unusual to us. It has been preserved from the distant past and is only performed in the village of Buruan, Gyaniar (about 10 minutes' drive from Ubud).
The ritual survived when people kept the deceased at home before the Ngaben ceremony and cremation. After a few days, the bodies began to smell, and the residents did not know how to eliminate the smell. Therefore, they tore the dead into small pieces with their hands and teeth and then moved them, probably into a smaller container that could be sealed and cremated later.
The tradition was that while the body of the dead man was being carried on a stretcher by strong men on their shoulders to be cremated, the rest of the village would descend on them and tear the corpse to pieces with their hands and mouths, which they would toss around as if it were entertainment. Some participants are literally in a trance during the ritual. The body must not fall to the ground during the ritual; otherwise, the villagers must undergo a great cleansing. Once the participants were satisfied with the result, the body, or its remains, was taken to the intended cremation site.
Reportedly, the body being carried is already wrapped in bamboo mats and strapped to a stretcher so that it cannot be torn as much. This prevents, among other things, the transmission of potential diseases that the deceased may have had during their lifetime.
No one is allowed to participate in the ritual except residents of the Buruan village. If this were to happen and they were discovered, they would be at risk of being physically assaulted by locals.
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