Tumpek Wayang Ceremony in Bali

Tumpek Wayang ceremony falls on Saturday / Sanicara Kliwon Wayang. On this day Balinese make offerings devoted to Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa in manifestation as Sang Hyang Iswara, which had penetrated the darkness, illuminating the world, and awaken the power of art and beauty. This ceremony is celebrated every 210 days (6 months in Balinese calendar).

Tumpek Wayang is also an important day for the art of shadow puppets. Many families have shadow puppets that were inherited from the ancestors or their predecessors who worked as a puppeteer. On this day the puppeteers (Samirana) will issue the puppets from the box and arrange them in such a way. The offerings placed near the puppet and then prayer is performed.

Kresna.Tumpek Wayang Ceremony, Bali 2017. Acrylic on Paper, 15 x 20 cm.

Tumpek Wayang Bali

In Bali, there are six series of Tumpek, celebrated in a cycle of Balinese Pawukon Calendar (every 210 days), and Tumpek Wayang is the latter. Tumpek Wayang is positioned very special and sacred. Balinese believe that the days during wuku Wayang (for one week) is a transition time, so it should be very careful in doing the activity or work.

On Friday of wuku Wayang (one day before Tumpek Wayang) is seen as the peak of the negative energy (Bhuta Kala). This day is often called "Dina Kala Paksa". People are not allowed to wash their hair. For wiku or holy priest are not allowed to perform prayer or worship.

On this day Hindus place the Sesuwuk or Seselat (markers), in the form of thorny pandanus leaves that are cut and placed in shrines and houses. According to local belief, thorny pandanus is believed to have such magical powers that can neutralize the negative energy.

The next day, this Sesuwuk is collected and placed in the outer area of the yard. This is as a sign that the negative energy has been neutralized.

Wayang Sapuh Leger

Wuku Wayang, as a sacred time, is also believed to have an impact on a person's birth. Every parent who has child born in wuku Wayang and especially on the Tumpek Wayang will hold a special purification ceremony (ruwatan) and complete with performances of "Wayang Sapuh Leger". They hope the negative energy interference (Bhuta Kala) to the child can be avoided.

Wayang Sapuh Leger tells the story of Shiva has sons named Bhatara Rare Kumara (a child) and Batara Kala (a demon). Shiva gives grace to the Kala that child who born in wuku Wayang can become his prey. Kala later knowing that Rare Kumara also born in wuku Wayang, so that he pursuing Rare Kumaran as his prey.

Rare Kumara run and hide, but Kala always know where he hides. Until finally Rare Kumara see a puppet show, and the puppeteer hide him in the bamboo resonance of Gender Wayang. Kala appeared but did not find Rare Kumara. Then Kala see the offerings, he immediately eat it until nothing left.

The Puppeteer (Dalang) knows this happen and asks Kala to restore the offerings that have been eaten. Kala could not undertake the request of the puppeteer. Kala promised to Dalang that he would not prey on children who were born in wuku Wayang if they had held the "Wayang Sapuh Leger". Finally Rare Kumara was saved.

Reference

1. google.co.id
2. wikipedia.org _ Wayang Kulit _ on April 10, 2017
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayang_kulit
3. Harris, Rachel; Pease, Rowan (May 1, 2015). “Pieces of the Musical World: Sounds and Cultures". Routledge. ISBN 9781317935032. Accessed on April 10, 2017.
4. Eiseman, Fred B. (Sep 13, 2011). “Bali: Sekala & Niskala: Sekala & Niskala". Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 9781462900923. Accessed on April 10, 2017.
5. Renee, Brita Heimarck (Aug 21, 2013). “Balinese Discourses on Music and Modernization: Village Voices and Urban Views". Routledge. ISBN 9781136800450. Accessed on April 10, 2017.
6. Image : Original Collection

Searches on this site related to Tumpek Wayang Bali:

1. Tumpek Uduh (Wariga)
2. Tumpek Krulut
3. Tumpek Kandang (Uye)