Tenget (Between Sacred and Spooky)
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007 by ablteam“Tenget” is a word that Balinese see with awe, respect and fear. This adjective has no exact equivalent in English, its meaning lies somewhere between sacred and spooky. This adjective usually associated with a place a “tenget” place for Balinese is not altogether sacred or spooky. A tenget place is not given a special offering nor has a special day for its ceremony like sacred place, but Balinese respect the tenget place in a way that is similar to sacred place since this place is the abode of various spiritual being from underworld. This place is not completely spooky since in a daytime or at night, Balinese roam in this place freely as long as they respect the inhabitants of the tenget place.
Places that are considered tenget place in Bali are cemetery, gorge, river, cave, under a big banyan tree, bridge, a certain crossroad, a certain spacious land etc. there are several tenget places in every village in Bali. The spacious land that is considered to be tenget, will not inhabited or cultivated, no Balinese in his right mind will risk his life, living or cultivating the tenget place. It will be neglected and overgrown by weeds and shrubs.
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