Bali Villa Arrangements - Balinese new year starts with with kissing ceremony Omed Omedan

Balinese new year starts with with kissing ceremony Omed Omedan

A century old ritual that originated from the

Banjar Kaja Sesetan Village in Denpasar,

it is also known as “The Kissing Ceremony”,

and is mainly held for youths of the village

to express their joy on the first day of the new year.

The procession begins with mass prayer for safety and involves

unmarried youths aged 17 to 30 years old.

Both groups take position facing each other on the main street of the village then,

at the signal of a Hindu leader, both sides approach the center of the road.

Male participants pull and kiss the female participants while other villager

pour buckets of water over them.

Omed-omedan, which means pulling, is a ceremony for the youths of the village

to express their joy on the first day of the new year.

Males and females stood side by side of the village main road

while waiting the signal o

f Hindu leader then both sides approached the center of the road

. Male participants pulled and kissed the female participants

while other villagers poured buckets of water towards them.

This ritual had been around for at least 100 years and could only be participated in

by the people of Banjar Kaja Sesetan village, and it is not clear when

mass kissing was incorporated into the Bali tradition.

Actually, this tradition is one of a great way to find a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Many couples are succeed to enter their marriage by joining this tradition,

said a participant in the ceremony.

The pecalang opened with a prayer while traditional village guards secured the area.

This ceremony has become a meeting place for singles.

Many couples have met through this tradition.