In the heart of the island of Bali, home to hundreds of ceremonies and rituals, a ritual is taking place that piques curiosity and challenges convention. The Mesbes Bangke ritual, often called the "tearing of the corpses," reveals a side of Balinese culture that will probably send shivers down your spine. Step away from the famous beaches of Bali and immerse yourself in the mysterious world of this unique ceremony.

The Origins of the Ritual
The ceremony's name, 'Tearing of the Corpses,' is creepy. Yet, as scary as it sounds, the practice is a long-standing tradition in the village of Buruan in the Gyaniar Regency, located just a 10-minute drive from the bustling center of Ubud.
In ancient times, before the actual ceremony and Ngaben cremation, the Balinese kept the deceased in their homes for several days so that, among other things, their loved ones could come to bid them farewell before the appropriate day for cremation arrived. As the days passed, the problem of how to combat the stench that wafted from the body became more and more difficult. And so, a strange solution was born: tearing the deceased into smaller pieces using one's own hands and teeth. This horrific act was a solution to ensure that the body was likely to fit into a smaller sealable container, which helped with the escaping smell and made it easier to move it for cremation later. The ritual is then directly derived from this practice.
Waiting for the Deceased
The Mesbes Bangke ceremony occurs as the deceased's body is moved (still in one piece) from the house to the cremation site. While the dead is carried by strong men on a stretcher to his final resting place, the rest of the village descend on him and tear the corpse to pieces with their hands and teeth as if it were entertainment. Some participants are often in a trance-like state during the ritual. While the ritual occurs, an unspoken rule remains: the body (or pieces of it) must never touch the ground. The consequences of such an event are profound and require a thorough cleansing ritual for all villagers. Only when the participants are satisfied with their efforts is the body - or its remains - transferred to the designated cremation site.
Are You Interested in More?
Are you interested in the Mesbes Bangke ritual and its mystery? Do you want to know how the ceremony is performed today and who cannot participate? If you want to delve deeper into this captivating Balinese ceremony, we invite you to explore our Mesbes Bangke Ceremony Guide. Are you ready to embark on a journey into the fascinating rituals of Bali?
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