The Ideology of "Baris Memedi" in Death Rituals (Ngaben) in Jatiluwih, Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper aims to find out the ideology of the Baris Memedi dance in the death ritual (Ngaben). We want to know the interconnective power relationship to the actions of the Jatiluwih indigenous people related to the memedi symbol in the death ritual (Ngaben). Baris Memedi is a symbol that is embodied in the form of dance. Memedi is an imaginary symbol that in the view of Balinese cosmology is an astral being (Bhuta Kala). This paper is descriptive qualitative. At the data, the level is verified and then interpreted. Methods of data collection by means of observation, interviews, and literature study. Sanghyang Baris Memedi dance is performed in death rituals (Ngaben) at the middle and main levels. Baris Memedi is artistically very simple and uses the environmental properties taken from the graves (setra). Baris Memedi is considered a sacred dance. The community believes that the spirits being celebrated (Ngaben) will be delivered by Bhuta Kala who are represented in the form of memedi.