Thought I should re-kindle this thread after a bit of a lay off. As some of you will know we had a quick trip to Bali early last month, a nice place to relax and enjoy the warmth of the people. Needless to say I took a few pictures and as it so happens, there was also a royal funeral being arranged while we were up in Ubud. The Balinese still have the tradition of a burning pyre which is prohibitively expensive for the average family not only in arranging a pyre but also in the ceremonies and feasting that proceed and follow the burning. So when there is a royal funeral the opportunity is taken by many families, to exhume loved ones and in joint ceremonies, cremate them on smaller pyre in the days prior to the Royal funeral.
Here we have the Royal Bull which will be part of the procession and burnt on the day. Smaller versions of these and others representing tigers were scattered round the town ready for burning on the main funeral day.
The making of this huge pyre was in full swing right in the centre of the town and the community spirit in getting it built was inspirational. Families came from all over the island to muck in.
This group had obviously just joined up as there was much hugging and hand shaking, then standing together for the picture taking.
This was one of many memorial signs around the town centre, we could not find out if they were signs in memory those who had passed on and were being cremated of just advertising. My guess was for the former.
And here we have some of the food being prepared. Suckling pig and duck on stick.
The striking thing about all this preparation is that though a solemn occasion, everybody was having fun.