First birthday ceremony
Made, wife of Nyoman Sudanata invited us to go across to their home for the first birthday ceremony for Anindya. Trevor and I and Marjie went and Trevor in his usual style left about 5 minutes later. We were the only westerners and felt privileged to be invited. Mostly woman family members sat around while the priest jingled his bells, chanted and flicked water. Little Anindya got quite wet and at this early age knew to lick/slurp the water from her cupped hands. She pulled flowers apart, jiggled on Made's knee, had a great time.
After the ceremony the feast was set up and we were invited to fill our plates. Suckling pig for most is a gourmet delight, not for me, I selected from the plates cautiously.
Dear little Anindya wore 2 gold rings, a gold bracelet, ear rings and necklace.
I think I am correct when I say the baby has a 6 month ceremony, then 1 year then yearly up to 8 years.
Wedding day for Putu and Made
Putu, our cute little waitress from SuriWathi gave us our special wedding invitation when we arrived and we bought ourselves traditional outfits. Trevor borrowed a sari and sash from Ketut
I had a sarong skirt made with matching kebaya. I wore a camisole top underneath. Denise another guest came with us in the car and her glorious kebaya was pretty persil and lacy white.
(buy material from Denpasar or Alta Moda, precut with sash costs around 220,000rp plus another 100,000 to make up. Skirt material was soft non-creasing fabric from Alta Moda. We knew the wedding was in Tabanan, but had no idea how large the district is. We drove for an hour or so along the road to Gilimanuk with the trucks. Gee they speed and take huge risks by overtaking on narrow roads around blind corners. One small ute was run off the road but one crazy truck driver and the motor bike rider following closely behind fell off his bike as it ended wedged under the vehicle, sideways. Lucky! We also saw a semi trailer carrying a container turned fully upside down on the side of a bend in the road. About 3 hours later they had removed the truck and had it upright albeit with a crushed cabin, but the container remained on the drain.
We headed north to the Papuan region and eventually found Desa Sanda. We stopped to ask directions a couple of times then found the house. We walked up the drive and were offered warm coke, fanta and sprite and snacks/sweets. We chatted for a while then Puta and Made arrived back from the temple. All married now, Putu had secured her man! Putu wore a very glamorous traditional costume with high golden head piece. They hire the outfits. Made wore a sarong securely tied across his chest. Putu's makeup was outstanding and her eyes had a heavy layer of thick silver sparkling eye shadow. Her lips were beautifully shaped and bright lippy applied. Her earrings were cone shaped and huge golden pieces.
There was a temporary structure assembled with 4 main areas separated by different cloths, red and gold, some green freshly woven walls. Front section had a stall where you initially hydrate, after your journey, with soft drinks or water, snacks, peanuts etc, next, an area to sit around and chat, third section held the buffet. Lots of choices of pork and chicken dishes, rice and veggies. Sweets were orange/mandarin or banana with water. Next section held 3 table and about 20 chairs for formal eating. I expect they will hear the sound of the pitter patter of little feet in about 7 months. Around 2.30, 9 of the staff of SW arrived. They were thrilled to see their fellow work mates. We left about 3 and wound our way back to Legian. Took about 2 hours.
This month of August had many ‘auspicious' days so there were lots of ceremonies for wedding cremations etc. Suzie and Sammies daughter was also married and Roo-Ted had a number of photos developed and the photos were passed around. We went to S & S a few afternoons and the crowds were terrific, I guess 30-40 most nights. S & S will be very pleased.
One night Charly Tango serenaded us. Have never heard of a version similar to his, Nudding bud a hound dog.... He strummed his geeeetar and past around his hat. You can hear him live on You Tube, just search for Charly Tango, he told us so!
We did the works with Kelly and Kim, Linda and Melissa and co maybe not by choice, but that's what happens when you leave your feet or hands in the same position for too long sometimes. No problem! (bit like having the windscreen cleaned on your car when you pull up at the traffic lights, pay if you want)