ASIATODAY.ID, BALI – Tumpek Uye also known as Tumpek Kandang is a tradition carried out by the Balinese people to honour and celebrate the animals that help human life. The use of the term Tumpek Kandang is related to animals that are kept in cages. This ceremony is also called Tumpek Wewalungan or Oton Wewalungan animal birthday. During this ceremony, various types of animals, both livestock and other animals, are honored, including cows, buffaloes, elephants, and other large animals.
This tradition is performed once every six months or 210 days, according to the Balinese calendar, and falls every Saturday Kliwon Wuku Uye. This tradition teaches the importance of maintaining the balance of nature and respecting all living things around us. These reasons indicate that Tumpek Uye is a form of local wisdom in animal protection in Bali.
Tumpek Uye is not just a tradition, but also a tangible manifestation of commitment to animal and environmental conservation in Bali. Ida Ayu Komang Arniati in an article entitled The Meaning Of Tumpek Kandang Ritual On Animal In Bali published in Proceeding 14th ADRI 2017 stated that the meaning of Tumpek Kandang ritual is the way humans build and preserve their natural and cultural environment. The preservation of the natural environment is directed at the safety of the earth’s land, plants, and animals in it while the preservation of the cultural environment through which humans express their attitude towards nature and the environment so that humans can harmonize themselves.
Tumpek Uye also has an environmental conservation dimension, both natural and cultural. The ceremony carries the mission of preserving the natural environment for the safety of the earth and the living beings in it, as well as the preservation of the cultural environment which includes art objects such as Gamelan and puppets. This tradition reflects the concept of Tri Hita Karana, which harmonizes the relationship between humans and the environment.
Tumpek Uye is also part of Balinese tradition that contains a moral message to always be friendly with nature and its contents. Despite the process of industrialization, the essence of this ceremony is still carried out as a form of love and affection and an expression of human gratitude to domestic animals. Overall, Tumpek Uye is a manifestation of the local wisdom values that continue to be maintained in Bali, showing that although the external form may shift, the meaning and essence of this tradition remain the same. It is an example of how tradition and modernity can go hand in hand in maintaining the balance of nature and culture.
The symbolic meaning of the Tumpek Uye celebration is very rich and varied, covering spiritual, ecological, and social aspects. This celebration teaches Hindus in Bali to respect and love animals as part of God’s creation, as well as reminding them of the importance of maintaining natural balance and controlling animalistic desires in humans. Tumpek Uye is a manifestation of local wisdom values that continue to be maintained and revived in the life of Hindu society in Bali.
The Tumpek Uye ceremony in Bali is not only a religious tradition but also a means of ethical and moral education towards animals. Through this ceremony, the Hindu community in Bali is taught to respect and love animals as part of their lives. This condition provides insight into how Hindu ethical values are realized in religious and social practices in Bali.
The Tumpek Uye ceremony shows the realization of Hindu ethical teachings, where humans view animals as creatures that require moral treatment. The Tumpek Uye ceremony reflects Hindu ethics which teaches that animals are not only objects but also moral subjects who deserve good treatment. Tumpek Kandang also reminds us to preserve rare animals, such as green turtles, Bali starlings, and monkeys.
Tumpek Uye ecologically teaches the importance of maintaining natural balance and respecting all living creatures around us. By celebrating Tumpek Uye, Balinese people are becoming more aware of the importance of preserving animals and ecosystems. Tumpek Uye strengthens local genius in Bali, including how to manage ecological systems and glorify animals. Through this instruction, local wisdom is revived and the ecology is managed humanistically.
Tumpek Uye is the right day to raise awareness about the importance of conserving endangered animals in Bali. Animal conservation efforts must be carried out by all parties, including the government, society, and non-governmental organizations. Viewed from a cultural value perspective, the presence of animals is related to religious ceremonies in Bali. Animals are only used in a few large ceremonies and are held every few years and the number used is only one animal. The use of salt in religious ceremonies has long been a simple strategy for the Balinese people to conserve or preserve various types of animals. This means that if there are sustainable animals, the religious ceremony can be carried out, but if the required animals are not there then the ceremony will not take place. This is why the Balinese people always look after the preservation of animals, including rare animals.
The Tumpek Uye celebration is not only about making offerings to animals and the universe but also about raising awareness of the importance of preserving natural ecosystems. Through ceremonies and spiritual reflection, Balinese people are encouraged to consider their relationship with nature and how they can play a role in preserving Bali’s biodiversity and natural beauty.
Tumpek Uye is an important moment where Balinese people reflect on their actions towards the surrounding environment. They recalled that animals are not just creatures that must be respected, but also life partners who play an important role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Through spiritual reflection and concrete action, the Balinese people develop a harmonious relationship with nature and are committed to being good environmental protectors for future generations.
Revitalization efforts must be made so that Tumpek Uye is not only understood as a ceremony solely related to animals, but also as an important moment in preserving Bali’s ecology as a whole. One way to build environmental awareness from an early age among Balinese children is through environmental education programs that are integrated into the school curriculum. This will help create a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and the role of Tumpek Uye. The next strategy is to use the momentum of Tumpek Uye to carry out a wider environmental conservation campaign. Through social media, community events, and other public activities, Balinese people can be encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly behavior in their daily lives. Another effort is to carry out habitat restoration activities to repair the damaged natural environment. This could involve replanting forests, restoring rivers, and protecting areas vulnerable to environmental degradation.
Tumpek Uye can be considered an integral part of sustainable development efforts in Bali and an inspiration for concrete actions in preserving the environment for future generations. The concept of balance is at the heart of sustainable development, where human needs must be in line with the needs of natural ecosystems. Tumpek Uye teaches the importance of maintaining this balance by glorifying animals as part of nature that must be respected and protected. Sustainable development includes efforts to conserve biodiversity, which is the foundation of life on this planet. Tumpek Uye emphasized the need to protect animals and plants as part of efforts to preserve biodiversity.
Efforts in Tumpek Uye to pay respect to animals also include sustainable management of natural resources. This includes efforts to stop illegal fishing, care for natural habitats, and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. Tumpek Uye helps increase environmental awareness in Balinese society, which is an important aspect of sustainable development. By understanding the importance of maintaining ecosystem balance, society can take action to support sustainable development. Sustainable development requires the active involvement of the community in environmental conservation efforts. Tumpek Uye provides an opportunity for Balinese people to participate in celebrations that emphasize the importance of protecting nature, thereby encouraging their involvement in sustainable development. (***)
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