Med Medan
Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Banjar Kaja, Desa Adat Sesetan, located in Jalan Raya Sesetan after Jalan Diponegoro. It was afternoon about 03.00 pm; the road was closed by Pecalang. It was tradition a day after Nyepi, Member of this Banjar took place special ritual called Med Medan.

The ritual commences by dividing the youths by gender into two opposing lines, where the boys eagerly wait on the northern, and the girls timidly line up in the southern, parts of the street. A referee will signal the start the game where each group gets close to pull each other, until the boys kiss the girls on the cheek. A traditional baleganjur orchestra, with harsh but melodious sounds, will accompany the ritual to encourage the spirit of each of the participants. Other members of the crowd pour water onto the ‘kissers’ to make the ‘war’ come alive. If the kissing continues, more water is poured, supposedly to discourage them, before starting with another round. Hundreds of people as well as tourists usually watch this interesting ritual.

Source : Hallobalimagazine by Nyoman Budiana

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