Fighting with Fire Fosters Forgiveness

      For nearly 200 years, two Hindu communities in Mataram have conducted the lively ritual of Perang Api, or fire war, on the eve of the Balinese Hindu celebration of new year, known as Nyepi or Silent Day.

While Lombok people of many faiths come together on the eve of Nyepi for the colourful Ogoh-ogoh street parade of giant evil effigies, Ogoh-ogoh is a tradition that originates from Bali. The unique tradition of Perang Api belongs to Lombok.

The fire war begins at sunset when hundreds of young men from the two “hostile” communities of Negara Sakah and Sweta, all clutching tied bundles of dried coconut palm leaves, face off against each other in readiness for war.

Once the referee declares war, the dried bundles which have been doused in kerosene are lit and become weapons used to target the bodies of the enemy. Serious burns may result.

Village elders say Perang Api dates back to 1838 when Mataram was ruled by Balinese kings from Karang Asem just across the Lombok Strait.

In the early days Perang Api left the battleground strewn with burned corpses. Today, the two communities believe they are haunted by the smell of burning flesh which they believe is the work of an evil spirit that wants to disrupt their tranquillity.

Hindus in the two communities believe the fire war tradition will protect them from mischief-making and disruptive spirits.

Historically, Perang Api was conducted to expel evil in times of disease which brought death. To eliminate the causes of an epidemic, and deny access to other bad influences, flaming torches were held in all corners of an afflicted area while people chanted “burn.”

“Today Perang Api is a means of self-purification through the medium of fire on the eve of Nyepi,” said Ketut Deswanto of Negara Sakah. Nyepi this year fell on 23 March.

The length of today’s Perang Api ritual is strictly controlled by community leaders to minimise injury. The fact that many participants suffer burns does not detract from the spirit of the event which ends with opposing fighters embracing each other in forgiveness.

Everyone looks happy and there is no intention for revenge.

“Although our bodies may be hurt, we feel very happy,” said Dewa. “I participate in the Perang Api tradition nearly every year.”

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

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