Living in Bali often means getting invited to ceremonies and other events. Being a helpful fellow I try to do things for other people when I have the time, so when my Balinese friend Trisna called me to ask if I could be a ‘witness’ at her wedding, I said sure. Trisna is an old friend who is getting married to Bert from Australia. Recently we me in Seminyak to discuss what my role would be. Trisna has mentioned there being some awkwardness among her father’s family, so I imagined the wedding to be a western affair, taking place in either Kuta or Tuban. It was scheduled for Sunday, so I was thinking to get my suit out and wear parts of it. When asking Trisna the location of the wedding I was rather surprised when she said “Karangasem”.
East Bali is one of my favourite parts of the island, but I didn’t plan on going there this Sunday. Trisna’s village is located near Nongan, on the main road between Klungkung and Besakih. Temperatures are cool and there is stunning scenery in area, Sideman just down the road. Probably looking at a 1.5-2 hour ride to get there and find the place and the whole affair starts at 10am. The deal is that Bert doesn’t have any family members coming, so I fulfill some kind of back up role. I told him I’d hold him down while they were doing the cutting.
To be honest the idea of getting into my Balinese outfit feels lots better than the western equivalent, even though Sunday will be fully booked. The ride out there will pass through Sanur, Gianyar, Klungkung and Nongan (just before Rendang) on the way to Besakih.
When attending a Balinese wedding, one should wear a sarong and shirt / jacket, sash and
udang (head wrap). Upon entry you are given snacks and drinks and have the opportunity to make a donation. After a hour or 2 food will be served, buffet style with Balinese favourites, lawar, sate, babi and other tasty dishes. The actual wedding ceremony, or at least the central part lasts around 1-2 hours, with the bride and groom sitting next to each other, across a low table from the priest. The ceremony involves lighting incense, ringing a small bell, prayers and many symbolic gestures, including exiting and entering the house carrying farming implements, playing with stones and other items on the floor and squatting on a coconut. The whole affair takes on a comic tone when an unsuspecting ‘bule‘ is involved, the Balinese women often tittering and chuckling between themselves. Bert told me he has no idea what to expect. He can expect a brightly colored outfit and plenty of red lipstick, just what an Aussie mate would dread. Trisna & Bert will live in Australia after they get married, starting out on the Gold Coast.
The photo shows the inside of a Balinese invitation to a wedding reception, this one being held in Legian (for larger view click on the photo). The text is written in Bahasa Indonesia and says the Supreme Deity, Sanghyang Widi Wasa blesses the wedding.
