Balinese Hindu to hold 'Tumpek Kandang'

DENPASAR (indo.com): Balinese Hindu will hold important ceremonies of "Tumpek Kandang", a day to honor domesticated animals whose meat is consumed by people for their daily menus. The celebration will fall on April 4, 2004. Rituals will be held at every farm and family compound and dedicated to Sang Hyang Rare-Angon, master of all cattle and livestock.

Tumpek Kandang, also called Tumpek Andang, falls on Saturday of Uye, the 22nd week of the pawukon cycle. The name Tumpek Kandang is derived from two words, "Tumpek" that means Saturday and "Kandang" refers to Balinese word for the domesticated animals that Balinese Hindu highly honor. They include cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs and birds. Thus, Tumpek Kandang itself means a day to worship God of animals.

When the day comes, cows receive special treatment. In Bali, cows are highly honored because they always assist farmers in plowing their rice field. The cows cows are washed and dressed-up like human beings, with special cone-shaped spiral of coconut leaf placed on their horns.

The pigs are usually decorated, with their bellies wrapped with a white cloth. The live-stocks are then fed with special foods. Prayers are offered and they are sprinkled with rice and holy water.

The rituals express the reciprocal relationship between human being with the animals.