More on ceremonies

Some additional comments about ceremonies.

On the way home from our Seminyak weekend on Sunday, we passed an enormous gathering in the village of Lotunduh. Everyone looked extra smart, especially the women, who all wore headbands, their hair done in a particular way, a white lace kebaya and a yellow sash. This is the best I could do from the car and we are still not sure what it was about.

On Sunday evening we became aware of something else going, on fairly close by, that went into the early hours. It wasn't the usual chanting, but more a commentary by various voices, male and female, over a loudspeaker. We found out the next morning that this was one of the final ceremonies for the cremation that we watched a few weeks ago. The families were speaking for their loved ones before the ashes are taken to the river for their final journey to the sea, so that rebirth can occur.

There's something to learn every day.