Maintaining Balinese Traditions And Culture During Christmas Celebration At The Foot Of Mount Batukaru
TABANAN – baliprawara.com
The island of Bali is identical with customs that breathe Hinduism, because the majority of the island’s population is Hinduism. But apart from Hinduism, the Balinese people also embrace other religions, such as Christianity. On this Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas celebration, the Baliprawara.com coverage team had the opportunity to take part in the Christmas celebration, at the Catholic Church of ST.Martinus De Porres, which is located in Banjar Penganggahan neighborhood, Tengkudak Village, Penebel Tabanan.
Chairman of the Catholic Stasi Council of ST. Martinus De Porres, I Wayan Suyasa explained that Catholics began to enter Penganggehan in 1969, which was brought by a missionary from Germany. Initially, the Catholics numbered only a few people. Over time, the number of Catholics in Penganggehan Village reached 38 families. This number decreased because there were people who had migrated to Sulawesi.
Currently, in 2020, according to data from Catholics living in Penganggehan, there are around 11 families. In addition, there are also Catholics living in Denpasar, bringing a total of 16 families. Since the early establishment of the Catholic Church of ST. Martinus De Porres, it has continued to adopt the local culture (Bali) because they are Balinese who have Catholic Christian beliefs. In fact, from the church design, it can also be seen that all adopt Balinese architecture. The church congregation wore Balinese traditional clothes. In addition, at certain times the chanting of worship songs also uses Balinese and also on the first week of each month, the mass uses the mother tongue, namely Balinese.
In this year’s Christmas celebration, all people, from children to the elderly, still uphold Balinese culture, namely by wearing Balinese traditional clothes. Not only that, a pair of penjor, which is also a symbol of Balinese culture, also stands towering in front of the church. Meanwhile, in the church, several “Tamiang” decorations also beautified the Christmas celebration. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the implementation of health protocols was strictly enforced during the service.
“We Balinese who converted to Catholicism, maintain our culture, Balinese culture, is a must. We present all of that in church activities. Starting from clothes to praise songs in Balinese,” said Suyasa.
At big celebrations like Christmas nowadays, Catholics in Penganggehan, also have “Ngejot” tradition with Hindu people. “We still maintain the Ngejot tradition. At Christmas we perform the Ngejot tradition with our Hindu brothers, and vice versa at Galungan they are coming to us to perform Ngejot. Differences in beliefs do not hinder our brotherhood, instead give color and strengthen our brotherhood,” said Suyasa.
Meanwhile, the Head of Tengkudak Village, I Ketut Suartanca, admitted that the tolerance between Catholics and Hindus in Tengkudak Village is going very well. There have never been disputes, it is complementary. “The majority of Hindus here are very enthusiastic about helping to prepare for the Christmas celebration at this church,” said Suartanca.
He expressed his hope that with the 2020 Christmas celebration amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indonesian people, especially Bali, will be given new courage and strength to face this pandemic. (MBP5)
