Balinese people can talk face to face to their ancestors who passed away couple years or even hundred years ago. Would you believe if I say Balinese people can talk to the dead? You would not? OK, you are not alone. I would not believe it too. However there is a tradition/ritual Balinese people often do called Nunas Baos.

Let us find out the meaning of nunas baos word by word. It is derived from two words that is nunas meaning asking/begging and baos meaning voice. Literally, nunas baos means asking or begging for a voice. So in general, nunas baos is a ritual done by Balinese people in order to ask for a clue via the sacred voice of the ancestors which is spoken through the mediator, usually a supernatural practitioner locally known as balian. In other words, nunas baos is requesting gods to speak.

When bad things happen to them, Balinese people tend to believe that it is caused by the act of ancestors who are not satisfied in regard to some rituals which has been done previously. Still confuse? Gosh me too. OK Let me please give you a scenario:

A family member is ill for a long period of time. None of modern medical actions could help him. All family member then gather, preparing some offering then go to a priest or balian. They ask the priest to ‘talk’ to their ancestor, asking what is wrong and why this family is getting ill for a long period of time. Then the balian (in trance condition) suddenly speak and act on behalf of the ancestor. His body is being used by the soul of the dead in order to send their message out to the family member.

The sacred voice of the ancestors usually consist of solution and reasons why this bad thing happen. Let say, the ancestor said “OK guys this man is getting sick because when you guys did my cremation ceremony, you forgot also to burn my iPod, that makes me lonely here in hell heaven. Please burn it so I can have peace here with my music”. Normally, having done the ancestor’s request, the ill person would be getting better.

Popularity: 22% [?]