For every milestone in life, the Balinese have a special ceremony. Life and death are equally celebrated. ⁠ ⁠ The unique Ngaben is a sacred ritual, and one of the most important cultural events. The purpose is for families to send their loved ones on to the “next” life. Hindus perform the ngaben to separate the soul from the body.⁠ ⁠ Before the main ceremony begins, family members prepare a wooden ox to hold the bodies that are eventually burnt. As the wooden ox (or temple structure) is carried to the cremation site, the Balinese try to confuse the deceased’s spirit to make sure it doesn’t find its way back home.⁠ ⁠ The makeshift temple is shaken, spun and taken on a confusing path. A priest then conducts a series of rituals before the wooden ox is set on fire, sending the deceased off to their “next” life. Families then collect the ashes and spread them in the ocean.⁠ ⁠ This beautiful Ngaben was celebrated recently in Batumulapan, Nusa Penida Island⁠. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Credit 📸: @erxbali⁠ Location 📍: Batumulapan Nusa Penida Bali⁠ ⁠ -⁠ ⁠ #360bali #nusapenida #balineseculture #bali