NGABEN, THE CEREMONY OF BURNING CORPSE IN BALI

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Ngaben is the ceremony of burning corpse done by Hindu followers in Bali. Ngaben is one of the traditions of balinese culture which is popular. This ceremonyl is a colourful, and exciting event. This ceremony is the celebration which shows the release of soul to be united with the supreme god. The body is carried to the cremation ground in a multitiered tower made of bamboo, paper, string, tinsel, silk cloth, mirrors, flowers, and anything else bright and colourful. Carried on the shoulders of a group of men, the tower represents the cosmos, and the base - in the shape of a turtle entwined by two snakes - symbolises the foundation of the world. On the base is an open platfom where the body is placed in the space between heaven and earth. The size of the group carrying the body and the number of tiers on the tower vary according to the caste of the deceased. On the way to the cremation ground. the tower is shaken and run around in circles to disorient the spirit of the deceased so that it cannot find its way home, A gamelan orchestra - sprints along behind providing a suitably exciting musical accompaniment. At the cremation ground the body is transferred to a funeral sarcophagus and the whole lot, funeral tower, sarcophagus and body - goes up in flames, finally. the colourful procession heads to the sea or a nearby river to scatter the ashes.

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