View source for Omed-omedan

{{Short description|Ceremony held by the young people of Banjar Kaja Sesetan, Bali}}
[[File:Festival Omed-omedan Setelah Nyepi.jpg|thumb|2017 omed-omedan ceremony in Sesetan, Denpasar, Bali]]
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'''Omed-omedan''', also known as "The Kissing Ritual", is a ceremony that is held by the young people of Banjar Kaja Sesetan, [[Denpasar]], [[Bali]].<ref name="Travel Asia">{{cite web |title=''Upacara omed-omedan: Ritual Ciuman Unik Khas Bali'' |trans-title="Omed-omedan ceremony: Bali's Unique Kissing Ritual" |url=http://www.travelesia.co/2014/04/upacara-omed-omedan.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606215157/http://www.travelesia.co/2014/04/upacara-omed-omedan.html |archive-date=2014-06-06 |accessdate=6 June 2014 |publisher=travelesia.co |language=id}}</ref> Omed-omedan is held on the day of ''ngembak geni'' (a day after [[Nyepi]]) to celebrate the [[Indian national calendar|Saka new year]].<ref name="Travel Asia" /> The name is derived from the [[Balinese language]] and means ''pull-pull''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Kompas Cyber |date=2022-09-13 |title=Omed-omedan dari Bali: Pengertian, Asal-usul, dan Cara Pelaksanaan |trans-title=Omed-omedan from Bali: Its Meaning, Origin, and Performance |url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2022/09/13/152255078/omed-omedan-dari-bali-pengertian-asal-usul-dan-cara-pelaksanaan |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}}</ref>
The ceremony is performed to make friendships and maintain people's harmony and solidarity.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=The Unique Bali Kissing Festival After Nyepi {{!}} Authentic Indonesia Blog |url=https://authentic-indonesia.com/blog/the-unique-bali-kissing-festival-after-nyepi/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=Authentic Indonesia}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Omed-omedan, Ritual Unik Pengikat Keakraban Masyarakat Sesetan |trans-title=Omed-omedan, A Unique Ritual That Brings Together Sesetan People |url=https://indonesiakaya.com/pustaka-indonesia/omed-omedan-ritual-unik-pengikat-keakraban-masyarakat-sesetan/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Indonesia Kaya |language=id}}</ref> This ceremony also became a meeting place for singles. Many couples have met through this tradition.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2020-12-03 |title=Omed-omedan is a Balinese traditional ceremony — Indonesia Now – Career Jobs Culture Education Lifestyle |url=http://indonesia-now.com/bali/omed-omedan-of-balinese-traditional-ceremony/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203230118/http://indonesia-now.com/bali/omed-omedan-of-balinese-traditional-ceremony/ |archive-date=2020-12-03 }}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Gaura |first=Erin |date=2019-10-24 |title=10 Bizarre Festivals In Asia You Need to Experience |url=https://www.thetravel.com/asia-best-bizarre-festivals/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=TheTravel |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Mengenal Omed-omedan, Sebuah Tradisi Unik Berciuman dan Pencarian Jodoh di Bali |trans-title=Knowing about Omed-omedan, A Unique Tradition of Kissing and Finding Partners in Bali |url=https://denpasar.suara.com/read/2023/03/23/181500/mengenal-omed-omedan-sebuah-tradisi-unik-berciuman-dan-pencarian-jodoh-di-bali |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=suara.com |language=id}}</ref>
== History ==
The ceremony is thought to be around since the 17th century.<ref name=":5" />
According to a legend,<ref name=":5" /> after Nyepi, there is a traditional game named med-medan from the [[Puri Oka Kingdom|Puri Oka]] people (now located in southern Denpasar). In that game, male & female youths pulled each other, but over time they embraced each other.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Tradisi Omed-omedan, budaya Ciuman yang diwariskan turun-temurun |url=https://www.denpasarkota.go.id/seni/tradisi-omed-omedan-budaya-ciuman-yang-diwariskan-turun-temurun |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=PEMERINTAH KOTA DENPASAR |language=id}}</ref> One day, Ida Bhatara Kompaing, Puri Oka's leader which was ill at the time,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Upacara omed-omedan : Ritual Ciuman Unik Khas Bali |trans-title=Omed-omedan ceremony : Unique Kissing Ritual from Bali |url=https://www.nusapedia.com/2014/04/upacara-omed-omedan-ritual-ciuman-unik.html |access-date=2023-03-25 |language=id}}</ref> was annoyed by the rowdy sound from the game and tried to stop it. But, after coming out, he became healthy. He then ordered that med-medan will be held every [[ngembak geni]] (relighting the fire) after Nyepi.<ref name="balivillarupiah">{{cite web |title=''Omed-omedan, tradisi ciuman di depan umum'' |trans-title=Omed-omedan, the tradition of public kissing|url=http://www.balivillarupiah.com/info-bali-budaya/omedomedan.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606224843/http://www.balivillarupiah.com/info-bali-budaya/omedomedan.html |archive-date=2014-06-06 |accessdate=6 June 2014 |publisher=balivillarupiah.com |language=id}}</ref>
The [[Dutch East Indies|Dutch East Indies government]] tried to ban med-medan, but the people ignored the ban.<ref name="balivillarupiah" /> In 1984, it was ordered to stop because of complaints that young people were kissing during the ceremony. Suddenly, a fight broke out between a male and female pig that lasted for an hour.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=M.Ridwan |date=2023-03-24 |title=Ditunggu Turis, Tradisi Omed-omedan Perkuat Kebersamaan Muda-Mudi Banjar Kaja Sesetan |trans-title=Waited by Tourists, Omed-omedan Tradition Strengthens Togetherness of Banjar Kaja Sesetan Youths |url=https://radarbali.jawapos.com/hiburan-budaya/24/03/2023/ditunggu-turis-tradisi-omed-omedan-perkuat-kebersamaan-muda-mudi-banjar-kaja-sesetan/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Radar Bali |language=id}}</ref>  I Gusti Ngruha Oka Putra, a Pura figure, heard a person that reported to him about the fight; when he got there, the fight stopped. Because people thought it was a bad sign, it was decided that med-medan was allowed.<ref name=":0" />
In the 1990s, the organizer was changed from ''banjar adat'' to ''sekaa teruna'', and in the 2000s, the ceremony's name was changed to omed-omedan. Sesetan Heritage Omed-omedan Festival (SHOF/SHOOF) has been held since 2009.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=detikBali |first=Tim |title=Omed-omedan, Tradisi Cium-ciuman khas Bali yang Fenomenal |trans-title=Omed-omedan, The Unique & Phenomenal Kissing Tradition from Bali |url=https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-6307819/omed-omedan-tradisi-cium-ciuman-khas-bali-yang-fenomenal |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=detikTravel |language=id}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |title=Tradisi Omed-omedan dalam Perspektif Industri Budaya |trans-title=Omed-omedan Tradition from the Perspective of the Culture Industry |url=https://ejournal.baliprov.go.id/index.php/jbmb/article/download/42/38 |journal=e-Journal Provinsi Bali}}</ref>
== Performance ==
Omed-omedan involves ''sekaa teruna teruni'' (STT) or unmarried 17–30 year old youths. The participants of the ceremony consists of 40 men and 60 women.<ref name="Wisata Dewata">{{cite web |title=''Upacara Med Medan'' |trans-title=Med Medan Ceremony |url=http://www.wisatadewata.com/article/adat-kebudayaan/upacara-med-medan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606231904/http://www.wisatadewata.com/article/adat-kebudayaan/upacara-med-medan |archive-date=6 June 2014 |accessdate=6 June 2014 |publisher=wisatadewata.com |language=id}}</ref> The rest will be saved for the next stage.<ref name="Wisata Dewata" />
=== Opening ===
Omed-omedan starts with a short speech from ''[[prajuru banjar]] (''banjar manager) that consists of ''kelihan banjar'' (to instruct the participants), ''kelihan dinas'', and the head of the STT.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=August 2020 |title=Tradisi Omed-Omedan Banjar Kaja Kelurahan Sesetan Keca- Matan Denpasar Selatan |trans-title=Omed-Omedan Tradition in Banjar Kaja, Sesetan Subdistrict, South Denpasar District |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344699766 |access-date=25 March 2023 |website=ResearchGate |language=id}}</ref>
After that, the participants will pray together to invoke safety. First, the prayer leader (''jero pemangku pura'') offers a sesajen named ''[[banten pejati]]''.<ref name=":2" /> Then, the participants will say the ''[[panca sembah]]''.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Gunawijaya |first=Wayan |date=2021 |title=Tradisi Omed-Omedan Sebagai Bentuk Wisata Budaya Bagi Dunia Pariwisata Di Bali |trans-title=Omed-Omedan Tradition As A Form Of Culture Tourism For The Tourism World In Bali |url=https://stahnmpukuturan.ac.id/jurnal/index.php/cultoure/article/download/1185/929 |journal=Sekolah Tinggi Agama Hindu Negeri Mpu Kuturan Singaraja |language=id |volume=2 |issue=1}}</ref> After that, the leader will sprinkle ''[[tirta amerta]]'' (the water of life) as a symbol of the blessing of [[Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa]] to his followers and offer a few grains of [[Bīja|bija]] (rice that is wetted in a temple) to Him.<ref name=":2" />
After the prayer, the [[Barong Bangkung dance]] will commence to remember the fighting between two pigs in the village.<ref name=":5" />
=== Ceremony ===
The participants will be divided into a male group (teruna) and a female group (teruni).<ref name=":5" /> The groups face each other on the main street. With the signal of a Hindu leader, both sides approach the center of the road. They then face and pull each other with bare hands.<ref name="Wisata Dewata" /><ref name="balivillarupiah" /> They also hug and kiss each other.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Team |first=NOW Bali Editorial |date=2016-12-08 |title=Omed-Omedan : Bali's Unique Kissing Ritual |url=https://www.nowbali.co.id/omed-omedan-kissing-ritual/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=NOW! Bali |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> After a while, [[Pecalang|pecalangs]] will pour buckets of water over them as a signal to stop.<ref name=":4" />
When the group leader passes a certain line, the phase ends, they lose, and they must give their leader to the winning group, which becomes a ''pacundang''. The groups' place changes every second phase.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> This will continue until 17:00 [[Waktu Indonesia Tengah|WITA]] or all participants are finished.<ref name="Wisata Dewata" /><ref name=":4" />
=== Ending ===
After the ceremony is finished, the ''kelihan banjar'' will thank and disperse the inhabitants. The ''prajurit banjar'' will also apologize if there is something wrong during the ceremony. Then, all participating inhabitants dan officials will eat together in Banjar Kaja Desa Pakraman Sesetan. While eating, ''kelihan banjar'' and [[bendesa]] will talk about things that can be improved and proposals to improve the next year's ceremony.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /></onlyinclude>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Ceremonies in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Bali]]
[[Category:Kissing games]]
[[Category:Balinese culture]]