Bukakak Ritual to Invoke Safety of Plants

Bali has a variety of distinctive rituals to invoke safety of the farmer-owned plants. In the Badung and Tabanan region, local farmers often organize Nangluk Merana or pest prevention and mouse Ngaben cremation. Meanwhile, at the Giri Mas Customary Village, Sawan Subdistrict, people also hold a unique and matcless ritual in the so-called Ngusaba Uma or better known as the Bukakak procession.

The procession of parading the Bukakak was really awaited by citizens, both those getting involved in the procession and those who only watched the procession. Bukakak was made from materials such as bamboo and young palm leaves. The Bukakak paraphernalia contained oblation and roasted suckling pig.

Bukakak procession is indeed a tradition celebrated in a solemnity and delight through generations. It is conducted as form of devotional offerings to Goddess Sri for the safety handed down to subak members and customary villagers of Mas Giri. As an agrarian society, the ceremony is certainly aimed at pleading for crops especially the rice plants that supports the life of local residents and those of other village from the attack of pest and diseases.