The Dayak Way of Delivering the Spirit of Death
Indonesia has a rich variety of cultures, customs, religions and beliefs that coexist, harmoniously and peacefully with each other from one generation to the next. The natural law to live in ethnic groups, with separate groups, so that they are united in the unity of a nation that is single and diverse has never been found anywhere in the world except Indonesia.
Like the diversity of cultures and beliefs of the Dayak tribe on the island of Kalimantan, for example, they are not only unique but challenging in today's human civilization to explore them. How the Dayak tribe respects their ancestors in the spectrum of death until they end up being placed in a different realm will be reflected in more detail through the traditional “Tiwah” procession, a complex and sacred process of funerals that will last for seven to forty one days non-stop.
The Tiwah ceremony or also commonly referred to as Tiwah Lale or Magah Saladak liau Uluh Matei is the largest sacred ceremony to deliver the soul or spirit of a deceased human to the final destination for humans which is known by followers of the Kaharingan religious belief by several names including Lewu Tatau He is Rumpang Tulang, Rundung Raja Dia Kamalesu Uhate, Lewu Tatau Habaras Bulau, Habusung Hintan, Hakarangan Lamiang or Lewu Liau which is located in the seventh heaven.
To take him to the seventh sky, Tiwah's activities require several intermediaries, such as Rawing Tempun Telun, Raja Dohong Bulau or Mantir Mama Luhing B Sungai Raja Malawung Bulau, as gods who are believed to reside in the third heaven.
The vehicles used by Rawing Tempun Telun to take the spirits of the dead until they are guaranteed to the seventh heaven, consist of various types and types such as what is commonly called Banama Balai Rabia, Bulau Pulau Tanduh Nyahu Sali Rabia, Manuk Ambun.
For the Dayak tribe who adhere to the Kaharingan belief, the long journey to Lewu Liau in the seventh sky, must pass through forty layers of dew, through rivers, mountains, lakes, sea, lakes, bridges which might be possible if the Tiwah ceremony was not performed. perfect, then the Saladak liau (spirit) that is escorted to the afterlife will get lost. Kaharingan belief principle states that without being escorted to lewu liau by means of the Tiwah ceremony, it is impossible for the spirit to reach lewu liau.
If the funds are not sufficient to hold the Tiwah ceremony, the ceremony may be postponed while waiting for funds to be collected and an increase in the number of families who will join together to carry out the sacred ceremony.
The Tiwah ceremony is the biggest sacred ceremony with high risk, so the implementation and preparation of everything must be done very carefully, because if there is a mistake or imperfect execution, the heirs who are left behind will bear a heavy burden.
There are many requirements that must be met, including the availability of sacrificial animals such as buffalo, cows, pigs, chickens, even in the past the available requirements were equipped with a human head. Before it was replaced from a buffalo or a cow's head, the meaning of offering a human head was an expression of the heirs' respect and devotion to the saladak liau (deceased spirit) who was ready to be delivered to Lewu Liau.
For the Dayak, Kaharingan adherents, they believe that in the future when the pile of liau has reached its destination, namely Lewu Liau, then a number of heads will be offered, that number will also become the servants it will have.
The owner of the head who is chosen in the sacred ceremony, his spirit will automatically enter Lewu Liau without having to be revealed even though their presence in Lewu Liau is only as servants. However, nowadays this is no longer the case.
During the holding of the Tiwah ceremony, it is usually filled with a series of sacred ceremonies such as the Balian ceremony, a ritual involving a woman who serves as a mediator and communicator between humans and other creatures whose existence is not visible to the human physical eye. Balian conveyed human requests to Ranying Hatalla through good spirits who had received a special assignment from Ranying Hatalla to protect humans.
Not everyone, even if they try hard, is able to carry out their duties and obligations as Balian. Usually only the chosen people. There are signs that may be used as guidelines for the possibility of a child in the future when he becomes a Balian, among others, when a girl is born wrapped, namely at birth the child's placenta is not broken due to the birth process, but is born completely wrapped in the placenta, as well as attitude. and the behavior of children since childhood is different from other children in general, they also experience many events that make no sense to their environment.
On certain days the ceremony Indonesia has a rich variety of cultures, customs, religions and beliefs that coexist, harmoniously and peacefully with each other from one generation to the next. The natural law to live in ethnic groups, with separate groups, so that they are united in the unity of a nation that is single and diverse has never been found anywhere in the world except Indonesia.
Like the diversity of cultures and beliefs of the Dayak tribe on the island of Kalimantan, for example, they are not only unique but challenging in today's human civilization to explore them. How the Dayak tribe respects their ancestors in the spectrum of death until they end up being placed in a different realm will be reflected in more detail through the traditional “Tiwah” procession, a complex and sacred process of funerals that will last for seven to forty one days non-stop.
The Tiwah ceremony or also commonly referred to as Tiwah Lale or Magah Saladak liau Uluh Matei is the largest sacred ceremony to deliver the soul or spirit of a deceased human to the final destination for humans which is known by followers of the Kaharingan religious belief by several names including Lewu Tatau He is Rumpang Tulang, Rundung Raja Dia Kamalesu Uhate, Lewu Tatau Habaras Bulau, Habusung Hintan, Hakarangan Lamiang or Lewu Liau which is located in the seventh heaven.
To take him to the seventh sky, Tiwah's activities require several intermediaries, such as Rawing Tempun Telun, Raja Dohong Bulau or Mantir Mama Luhing B Sungai Raja Malawung Bulau, as gods who are believed to reside in the third heaven.
The vehicles used by Rawing Tempun Telun to take the spirits of the dead until they are guaranteed to the seventh heaven, consist of various types and types such as what is commonly called Banama Balai Rabia, Bulau Pulau Tanduh Nyahu Sali Rabia, Manuk Ambun.
For the Dayak tribe who adhere to the Kaharingan belief, the long journey to Lewu Liau in the seventh sky, must pass through forty layers of dew, through rivers, mountains, lakes, sea, lakes, bridges which might be possible if the Tiwah ceremony was not performed. perfect, then the Saladak liau (spirit) that is escorted to the afterlife will get lost. Kaharingan belief principle states that without being escorted to lewu liau by means of the Tiwah ceremony, it is impossible for the spirit to reach lewu liau.
If the funds are not sufficient to hold the Tiwah ceremony, the ceremony may be postponed while waiting for funds to be collected and an increase in the number of families who will join together to carry out the sacred ceremony.
The Tiwah ceremony is the biggest sacred ceremony with high risk, so the implementation and preparation of everything must be done very carefully, because if there is a mistake or imperfect execution, the heirs who are left behind will bear a heavy burden.
There are many requirements that must be met, including the availability of sacrificial animals such as buffalo, cows, pigs, chickens, even in the past the available requirements were equipped with a human head. Before it was replaced from a buffalo or a cow's head, the meaning of offering a human head was an expression of the heirs' respect and devotion to the saladak liau (deceased spirit) who was ready to be delivered to Lewu Liau.
For the Dayak, Kaharingan adherents, they believe that in the future when the pile of liau has reached its destination, namely Lewu Liau, then a number of heads will be offered, that number will also become the servants it will have.
The owner of the head who is chosen in the sacred ceremony, his spirit will automatically enter Lewu Liau without having to be revealed even though their presence in Lewu Liau is only as servants. However, nowadays this is no longer the case.
During the holding of the Tiwah ceremony, it is usually filled with a series of sacred ceremonies such as the Balian ceremony, a ritual involving a woman who serves as a mediator and communicator between humans and other creatures whose existence is not visible to the human physical eye. Balian conveyed human requests to Ranying Hatalla through good spirits who had received a special assignment from Ranying Hatalla to protect humans.
Not everyone, even if they try hard, is able to carry out their duties and obligations as Balian. Usually only the chosen people. There are signs that may be used as guidelines for the possibility of a child in the future when he becomes a Balian, among others, when a girl is born wrapped, namely at birth the child's placenta is not broken due to the birth process, but is born completely wrapped in the placenta, as well as attitude. and the behavior of children since childhood is different from other children in general, they also experience many events that make no sense to their environment.
On certain days the ceremony Indonesia has a rich variety of cultures, customs, religions and beliefs that coexist, harmoniously and peacefully with each other from one generation to the next. The natural law to live in ethnic groups, with separate groups, so that they are united in the unity of a nation that is single and diverse has never been found anywhere in the world except Indonesia.
Like the diversity of cultures and beliefs of the Dayak tribe on the island of Kalimantan, for example, they are not only unique but challenging in today's human civilization to explore them. How the Dayak tribe respects their ancestors in the spectrum of death until they end up being placed in a different realm will be reflected in more detail through the traditional “Tiwah” procession, a complex and sacred process of funerals that will last for seven to forty one days non-stop.
The Tiwah ceremony or also commonly referred to as Tiwah Lale or Magah Saladak liau Uluh Matei is the largest sacred ceremony to deliver the soul or spirit of a deceased human to the final destination for humans which is known by followers of the Kaharingan religious belief by several names including Lewu Tatau He is Rumpang Tulang, Rundung Raja Dia Kamalesu Uhate, Lewu Tatau Habaras Bulau, Habusung Hintan, Hakarangan Lamiang or Lewu Liau which is located in the seventh heaven.
To take him to the seventh sky, Tiwah's activities require several intermediaries, such as Rawing Tempun Telun, Raja Dohong Bulau or Mantir Mama Luhing B Sungai Raja Malawung Bulau, as gods who are believed to reside in the third heaven.
The vehicles used by Rawing Tempun Telun to take the spirits of the dead until they are guaranteed to the seventh heaven, consist of various types and types such as what is commonly called Banama Balai Rabia, Bulau Pulau Tanduh Nyahu Sali Rabia, Manuk Ambun.
For the Dayak tribe who adhere to the Kaharingan belief, the long journey to Lewu Liau in the seventh sky, must pass through forty layers of dew, through rivers, mountains, lakes, sea, lakes, bridges which might be possible if the Tiwah ceremony was not performed. perfect, then the Saladak liau (spirit) that is escorted to the afterlife will get lost. Kaharingan belief principle states that without being escorted to lewu liau by means of the Tiwah ceremony, it is impossible for the spirit to reach lewu liau.
If the funds are not sufficient to hold the Tiwah ceremony, the ceremony may be postponed while waiting for funds to be collected and an increase in the number of families who will join together to carry out the sacred ceremony.
The Tiwah ceremony is the biggest sacred ceremony with high risk, so the implementation and preparation of everything must be done very carefully, because if there is a mistake or imperfect execution, the heirs who are left behind will bear a heavy burden.
There are many requirements that must be met, including the availability of sacrificial animals such as buffalo, cows, pigs, chickens, even in the past the available requirements were equipped with a human head. Before it was replaced from a buffalo or a cow's head, the meaning of offering a human head was an expression of the heirs' respect and devotion to the saladak liau (deceased spirit) who was ready to be delivered to Lewu Liau.
For the Dayak, Kaharingan adherents, they believe that in the future when the pile of liau has reached its destination, namely Lewu Liau, then a number of heads will be offered, that number will also become the servants it will have.
The owner of the head who is chosen in the sacred ceremony, his spirit will automatically enter Lewu Liau without having to be revealed even though their presence in Lewu Liau is only as servants. However, nowadays this is no longer the case.
During the holding of the Tiwah ceremony, it is usually filled with a series of sacred ceremonies such as the Balian ceremony, a ritual involving a woman who serves as a mediator and communicator between humans and other creatures whose existence is not visible to the human physical eye. Balian conveyed human requests to Ranying Hatalla through good spirits who had received a special assignment from Ranying Hatalla to protect humans.
Not everyone, even if they try hard, is able to carry out their duties and obligations as Balian. Usually only the chosen people. There are signs that may be used as guidelines for the possibility of a child in the future when he becomes a Balian, among others, when a girl is born wrapped, namely at birth the child's placenta is not broken due to the birth process, but is born completely wrapped in the placenta, as well as attitude. and the behavior of children since childhood is different from other children in general, they also experience many events that make no sense to their environment.
On certain days the ceremony Tiwah, there is a special prohibition for families to be prohibited from eating venison, deer, mouse deer, turtles, monkeys, bats, hornbills and snakes as well as certain types of fruit.
In addition to the prohibition against eating certain types of animals and plants, there is also a prohibition on not fighting. If there is a fight, those who are fighting must pay a fine to the host with the obligation to slaughter the pork and have their blood written to those who are fighting.
The seventh day of the implementation of Tiwah is an important moment because that day is the day to release all bad luck for the spirit who died. On that day, it is believed that their ancestral spirits started the journey to Lewu Liau in the seventh heaven. Usually the symbol of this spirit's journey is seen by starting with a stabbing using a spear or a knife on a sacrificial animal that has been prepared at the stake (sapundu) where the community gathers, while in another corner, a group of Kanjan Statue dancers can be seen which is only done by men. followed by a series of other sacred dances which lasted for days.
As an expression of gratitude from the organizers to the ritual leaders commonly referred to as Basir, Balian, Mahanteran and Penawur who have been actively involved as intermediaries in all ceremonial processions in order to deliver the pile of liau to the seventh sky in lewu liau, usually given a special eye mark even when those who carry out the ceremony will return to their home village accompanied by villagers including those who attended the Tiwah ceremony.
