Mesbes Bangke: The Tradition of Tearing Corpses Apart in Buruan Tampaksiring Village
Bali has many traditions. Tradition is a form of action that is repeated in the same way. The word "tradition" is taken from the Latin "Tradere" which means to pass on from generation to generation to be preserved. Tradition is generally recognized as a form of custom that has a series of ancient historical events. Each tradition is developed for some purpose, such as political purposes or cultural purposes over a period of time. In Bali there are traditions that are very thick, one of which is the tradition in Banjar Buruan, Tampak Siring, Gianyar Bali, namely "Mesbes Bangke" which is quite an extreme tradition to do. The Balinese Mesbes Bangke tradition is not carried out at any time before the Ngaben ceremony and this custom is only carried out on bodies undergoing a private ngaben ceremony.
A unique tradition in Banjar Buruan, Tampaksiring, Gianyar, Bali, is called "Mesbes Bangke," or tearing up a corpse. There is no definitive historical record of the origin of this custom. However, according to elders from Banjar Buruan, this controversial tradition is closely related to the past absence of preservatives such as formalin. The elders and customs in Banjar Buruan state that Mesbes Bangke has been practiced since time immemorial. Every resident who participates in this process will tear the corpse with their fingernails and fingers. Like any other tradition, this ritual has its own history. It is said that the residents of Banjar Buruan initially could not stand the stench of human remains, which arose because families would leave the bodies for days while waiting for an auspicious day for the diaben (cremation ceremony). Moreover, at that time, there was no formalin to preserve the bodies. Consequently, the community devised various ways to cope with the smell.
mesbes bangke tradition process (source: author's collection)
One idea that developed was to parade while playing with the corpse to avoid being bothered by its bad odor. They would parade the corpse and tear it with their hands, which was believed to remove the stench. The Mesbes Bangke tradition takes place every time a resident dies and is cremated privately. The natives of Banjar Buruan gather on the road to await the arrival of the corpse being carried from the funeral home. As soon as the corpse is seen, it is rushed by residents who then tear it apart. Some residents are fully conscious, while others are semi-conscious, and some even climb on the corpse. Their hands and mouths are busy tearing apart the lifeless body, accompanied by baleganjur music to enliven the atmosphere. After the people have had their fill of the Mesbes Bangke ritual, the body is then taken to the grave and cremated.
Participants express their excitement as the tradition eliminates the odor from the corpse. In the past, the Mesbes Bangke tradition in Bali was brutal, involving the removal of the corpse from its wrapping. To avoid unwanted consequences, it was common for the family to wrap the corpse in layers. Today, the Balinese Mesbes Bangke tradition is less extreme. The most severe actions involve merely pretending to bite or tear the body. This practice has significantly diminished compared to the 1980s. In the modern era, the Mesbes Bangke tradition continues with new rules, ensuring the corpse is not left exposed as it used to be.
Picking up the body to the funeral home (source: author's collection)
Before carrying out the Mesbes Bangke tradition, the family covers the corpse with mats, bamboo, or layered cloth. This is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and to avoid unsettling sights during the process. There are taboos associated with the Mesbes Bangke tradition: the corpse must not fall to the ground, as this would require the residents of the banjar to hold a large Pecaruan (purification ceremony) in the area. Additionally, people from outside Banjar Buruan are not allowed to participate in the Mesbes Bangke procession to prevent any unwanted incidents related to this extreme tradition. Although this tradition is considered extreme, over time, people have started to reduce inhumane actions.
carrying the body from the funeral home (source: author's collection)
In this day and age, where corpses can be preserved and no longer emit foul odors, the Buruan community continues this tradition to honor their ancestors. However, they no longer tear the corpses apart but only simulate the act to avoid health risks, such as disease. The tradition has evolved, with some aspects persisting, such as the corpse being carried by the crowd while they cheer together. In Indonesia, tribes with extreme traditions tend to abandon them as they become impractical in the modern era. However, the Balinese people are keen on preserving their traditions, customs, and culture, ensuring they evolve into positive practices like the Mesbes Bangke tradition.
