Around the world, there are many customs for cremation of dead bodies. While some may sound familiar, many would sound very strange, shocking and borderline scary. But generally, there are various beliefs behind every tradition or custom. In many parts of Indonesia for example, many do not bury the mortal remains of their beloved or perform any last rites. Instead, they are left in the forest to rot. The ritual they follow next is equally strange.
Trunyan Village, also known as Terunyan, is a remote village in central Bali, Indonesia. It is home to the Bali Aga people who are Bali’s original inhabitants. This village is known for its unique burial sites where the mortal remains are left in the open to rot and for all to see. The skull dots the sides of the burial ground giving it a foreboding and eerie vibe. These people have their own set of rules and laws. While it may seem that the bodies are left to rot carelessly, that is not the case. The people put in a lot of effort in caring for it. The dead bodies are covered in bamboo cages so that vultures and crows cannot eat them. It is believed that the consumption of the dead body by an animal or bird will insult the dead body.
A decomposing dead body would generally stink, but not in this case. The dead bodies are placed near a Taru Menyan (banyan tree). This means a nice-smelling tree, whose sweet aroma cancels out the stench from the decaying bodies.
Once the flesh rots off and the bones are exposed, the people take out the skull and other bones and then decorate it on a stone altar. The Trunyan Hill Cemetery is situated on the slopes of Mount Abang, an active volcano and is only accessible by boat. There are three cemeteries near the village of Trunyan, but one is usually open to tourists. If someone has died by suicide or in an accident, then they are not buried here. As per reports, the dead bodies of children are also not kept in this grave.
Comments
0 comment