When spending the holiday in Bali, you may have seen groups of Balinese women carrying piles of fruit on their heads. The pile of fruit is called a gebogan. Just like other traditions, the gebogan Bali has many interesting facts.
Let’s look at five interesting facts to enrich your knowledge about gebogan parade!
1. Gebogan Means Offering
The term “gebogan” means offering or pile. This pile of offerings comes from a sequence of leaves, flowers, and fruits arranged to look gorgeous.
In practice, the gebogan in Hindu rituals and religious ceremonies is often used as an offering to God. Its presence as a Balinese tradition originates from Hindu teachings brought by Brahmins to Bali.
2. Present as An Expression of Gratitude
This offering shows gratitude and respect for the gods who have blessed the lives of the Balinese people. Apart from this primary purpose, the gebogan is likewise a symbol of natural wealth and beauty.
Gebogan is also often used to decorate Hindu holy places, such as altars and temples. It is not unusual for people to use it as decoration in their homes, too.
This tradition also conveys messages from the Balinese people about natural harmony and diversity. The diversity and harmony can be seen from the mixed combinations of fruit and flowers.
3. Fruit is A Mandatory Element
Fruit is an obligatory component in gebogan because it is considered a representation of natural wealth. There are quite a lot of fruits used in this tradition.
Some fruits that are usually present in gebogan are:
- Fuji apple: Usually, the position of this apple is at the very bottom because it is big so it can support other components. But the bottom part can also come from mango and dragon fruit.
- Red apples: Red apples are placed in a gebogan arrangement because they can make the appearance more beautiful and striking with their red color. Its position is usually in the top center and bottom center.
- Pear: Usually placed in the middle area of the gebogan because the yellow color of the pear gives a bright impression.
- Oranges: Sunkist oranges or mandarin oranges are placed in the middle area to make the gebogan look more colorful.
- Banana: Its position is usually at the top and is a mandatory element.
4. Use a Particular Tray
The fruit in the gebogan parade is made to rise like a mountain so that the higher the position, the more conical it becomes. To support the arrangement of the fruit, people use “dulang”.
Dulangs are unique round trays made of wood. As you go up, the shape becomes smaller, while the bottom part has a base that is the size of your head. This base will be attached to the head of the person carrying it.
5. Different From Other Indonesian Traditions
Several other regions in Indonesia also have traditions and decorations, such as the Balinese gebogan. However, Balinese gebogan differ in the design and materials used.
A typical Balinese gebogan uses fresh fruit and flowers as decoration. The design of the Balinese dulang is also different from most typical Indonesian dulang, making it more unique.
After seeing five facts about gebogan, you are even more amazed by the richness of its traditions, right? Therefore, when you see gebogan Bali, take the time to witness and capture the moment! To experience Little Bali, which offers traditional Balinese nuances and modernity combined in harmony, stop by Mari Beach Club!
