'Tumpek', Balinese Sacred Day

Balinese community belongs to the religious one. In other words, all social activities are at all times based on the Hindu teachings. In the calendrical system, there is a term 'Tumpek' in Bali falling once in every 210 days as the summit momment of the god's endowment to human beings (Sundarigama manuscript).

Tumpek Landep is marked with the symbol of kris dagger (weapon) having the meaning to sharpen the intellectuality of Balinese humans.

Tumpek Wariga and Tumpek Uye are indicated with the symbol of appreciation towards the bio-life of which conservation should be maintained, as it becomes the wellspring for the survival of human life.

Tumpek Kuningan is a moment of introspection on dharma (the eternal law of the cosmos) to remind the human beings so they endeavour to archieve the profane and spiritual serenity.

Tumpek Wayang is an appreciation towards the value of arts coming in expression of beauty and nobility.

Tumpek Krulut is the veneration of God coming down to earth in his manifestation as Shiva Nataraja as the creator of the universe presenting the sounds, namely sets of gamelan instruments.

Tumpek Krulut is derived from lulut meaning harmony and concord. This meaning is manifested into the combination of musical elements consisting the fusion of rhythm, melody, harmony and dynamic. Blend of these elements essentially reflects the relationship of human life to several expertise and professions however, they remain to be socially integrated.

In Denpasar, particularly at Tenten Hamlet, the celebration of Tumpek Krulut takes place joyously. Local people assemble together at the village hall to attend several ritual processions. Various gamelan music compositions are played, such as the angklung, gong and semar pegulingan.

Celebration of Tumpek is a moment of harmonic revitalization for human beings in general and Balinese community in particular.


AddThis Social Bookmark Button