Makotekan (The Exciting Purification Ceremony)
Many sacred and unique ceremonies and activities are held to celebrate Kuningan holyday, one of them is Makotekan activity. This unique activity can only be found in Munggu village, Mengwi, Badung. Makotekan is performed in order to purify the village and serves as symbol of never ending battle between virtue and evil.
Makotekan is usually held in the afternoon and last until night. Makotekan begins with a procession of temple treasure, deities’ effigies, temple’s flags and holy weapons from all temples in the village to Pura Desa (Village Temple). This procession involves hundreds of villagers and accompanied by the Gamelan Baleganjur. Half of the male members of the procession, especially the youth carry Kotekan (Long wood staves decorated with leaves and tamiang –a shield like ornament made of young coconut leaves). Arriving at the village temple, the members of procession pray together, ask for blessing for the success of Makotekan activity.
After the praying session is over the procession of temple treasure, deities’ effigies, temple’s flags and holy weapons depart for Ngider Bhuana (encircling universe/ village in this context) journey. The male members of procession who carry the Kotekan begin to perform the Makotekan activity in the front part the procession. They thrash each other in semi trance at first but since this activity involves hundreds of men the thrashing session soon over replaces by making a mountain like pile of staves, each side of the pile push the pile as hard as they can and eventually the pile will collapse and fall on the weaker side. This activity is repeated over an over along the way. After the Ngider Bhuana journey is completed the procession of temple treasure, deities’ effigies, temple’s flags and holy weapons back to their respective temple, and the Makotekan activity is over.
Though Makotekan is a dangerous activity but there is no injury inflicted to the performers or members of the procession. They believe that the deities will protect them and there is nothing to be afraid since they perform the Mekotekan activity for the welfare of the village.
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