Cat in Traditional Balinese Point of View
Cat, in traditional Balinese point of view, is an animal that its existence is dilemmatic, respected but plays no significant role, exist but rarely comes up to the surface. In vast inventory of Balinese religious offerings, cat only comes out in offering of Eka Dasa Rudra ceremony (the centennial world purification) where all kind of animal exist in Bali have to be sacrificed. In other ceremonies, cat is excluded, the animal that are usually used for the offering in the ceremony are dog, pig, buffalo, chicken, duck, and swan.
Despite of its insignificant role in Balinese ceremonial repertoire, Cat enjoys greater respect than any other animal in Bali. Balinese believe that when theey accidentally kill a cat (hit it by car or motorcycle for example), they can not leave it carcass on the street unattended; he has to take it home and buried properly or a serious misfortune will befell on them.
In Balinese literature, cat appears in few folktales, but it rarely mentioned in proverb or other forms of Balinese literature. But in Balinese literature enjoys better treatment than dog. Dog is usually used to signify someone that does not deserve any respect while cat usually signify someone who will take all the opportunity.
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Just want to add that usually in Bali, if Balinese accidentally kill cat (when driving, etc) It will required small “Ngaben” ceremony. This rule apply also to swan.
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