If you live in Bali, or at least have visited, you would have
noticed that most houses, buildings and shops have a small
shrine in the front corner of the property. This is called
a panunggun karang, derived from the words ‘tunggu’
meaning ‘to wait’ and ‘karang’ meaning
the property. It is believed that this shrine protects the
property and all that is on it, living or dead.
The small shrine is decorated with a black and white cloth
known in Balinese as ‘saput poleng’. This has
a protective function – you will see this cloth used
in temples throughout Bali and it is also the colour of sarong
worn by traditional security guards (pecalang). Here, Balinese
Hindus make offerings and worship God in the manifestation
of Jro Gede. They believe that Jro Gede inhabits the shrine
and watches over the property, keeping it safe and hopefully
protecting the family or the people on the property from anything
negative.
Many people upon returning home also make the habit of bringing
small gifts of food such as cakes or sweets, as offerings
of thanks for protecting the house, especially if it is left
in an empty state. Balinese believe that if they move to a
new house or rent a place, whether new or old, they should
ask permission first from Jro Gede, since s/he will be the
one who’ll look after them when they are staying there.
If you’re not a Balinese Hindu and there is a panunggun
karang on your property, never fear - if you wish you can
ask your staff or land-owner to make the offerings at it to
make sure Jro Gede is always watching over you and your property.
It is said that the more often you give offerings to Jro Gede,
the safer your karang will be!
Copyright@ Kulture Kid 2006
You can read all past articles of Kulture Kid at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz
