Potong Gigi, also known as tooth filing, is a traditional Balinese Hindu ceremony that is typically performed on children when they reach puberty, as well as on adults who are getting married or who are about to enter a new stage in life. The ceremony involves filing down the sharp edges of the canines and incisors, which are believed to represent negative qualities such as jealousy, anger, and arrogance.
The ceremony is usually performed by a Balinese priest or healer, who will first perform a purification ritual to cleanse the person's body and soul. The priest will then use a special tool to file down the teeth, which is believed to help release negative energy and allow the person to attain a state of balance and harmony.
The Potong Gigi ceremony is an important rite of passage in Balinese culture, as it represents the transition from childhood to adulthood or from one stage of life to another. It is also believed to be an important step in the spiritual journey, as it helps the person to let go of negative traits and become a better, more compassionate human being.
In the context of the Potong Gigi ceremony, the Balinese Gender Gamelan is typically played to provide a festive and celebratory atmosphere. The music is believed to have a spiritual dimension, and is intended to help connect the participants with the divine.
credits
released July 18, 2023
Played by Sanggar Ceraken from Batubulan Kangin in Banjar Batu Aji, Bali, Indonesia in April 2023.
This is a documentary process of recording Balinese Traditional Gamelan music, started in the year 2020.
Traditions have changed over time, but ancient musical compositions are adapted to nowadays life.
Agustín Oscar Rissotti, an Argentinian student of the University ISI Denpasar (Bali), developed an idea to join as many rehearsals, ensembles and religious ceremonies as possible with small microphones and recording equipment, to document the authentique "Bali Gamelan Sound".
In Bali, most live performances are meant to be performed for the Gods. There is no egoistic purpose in this performances, but to admire the beauty of this world through the eyes of Hindu Balinese religion.
As for his ears, this is "The authentique Bali Sound", full of conversations around, people passing by, laughs, music of different performances played together (as it is meant to be in several Balinese Hindu ceremonies where -more than 1- ensembles are playing music very close to each other -at the same time-), background noises, sounds of coffee cups and arak shoots (traditional homemade alcohol beverage), breath of cigarettes, animals hollowing around, hundreds of motorbikes passing by, and even mother nature earthquakes.
With all my respect, this is the vision of a South Latin American guy who ended up studying Balinese Culture and living in the Island before, during and after the pandemic.
I hope this can translate you to the world I am living in.
Thank you, I hope you will enjoy this music.
Astungkara, Matur suksema.
A special mention and gratitude for I Made Subandi, for inviting me to this Ceremony in Banjar Batu Aji.
All the economic contributions made to this project are spent in developing the Balinese Culture and Artists.
supported by 8 fans who also own “Gender Wayang, Vol. IV”
I discovered Canary Records because of this album. Used to see Joe Manieri perform in jazz clubs around Boston. Thank you for the careful restoration of the original recordings, and the research and extensive notes on this special record. chamboulé