balang bungkem
Hinduism came to Bali 1,200 – 1,500 years ago, with most Hindus in Bali believing that ignoring the caru (animal sacrifice) will bring catastrophe and/or chaos.
The Resi Gana cannot take place without the sacrifice of a specific dog: The balang bungkem, a red-furred and black-mouthed dog.
Ida Pedanda Made Gunung, a high priest for the Balinese Hindu community, says:
“According to Manawa Dharmasastra, animals that are sacrificed in such ceremonies will be incarnated into a higher level in the next life. And people who sacrifice those animals also will have a higher level in the next life because they help them to get a better life in the next.”
Source: Earth Storiez
Puppies who are brown in color with a black muzzle are called “blang bungkem” and are sacrificed in a belief they are appeasing the demons and negative forces of the universe (they believe by giving the demons an animal sacrifice they will leave the humans alone). What is even sadder is that most younger generations of Balinese we have spoken to are not aware of why they must make these sacrifices or of what purpose it serves in their religion. They are doing what their grandparents and great-grandparents have done for generations.
Slowly, people are starting to question their religion and find new, less cruel ways to appease the demons. However, there is still a long way to go. BARC
