0 Metatah, A ritual to control negative characteristics

Since early morning, Luh Putu Sari Ningsih and her three brothers had been preparing to perform one of the most important manusia yadnya (Balinese rites of passage) rituals—metatah (tooth filing) in common Balinese or mepandes in the high Balinese language, on a bright, sunny Sunday morning at their family home in Singaraja, Buleleng, in northern Bali. Dressed in lavish and elaborate Balinese traditional attire, the four siblings would symbolically leave their childhood years behind and enter adulthood through this ritual. 

Led by Hindu high priest, Ida Bhawati Adi, the metatah ceremony is aimed at symbolically eliminating negative human characteristics. The tooth-filing ceremony is a very important life passage for all Balinese and must be completed before they get married. Sometimes, it is incorporated into the wedding ceremony or as an event prior to a ngaben (cremation) ritual. After the high priest chanted his prayers and offerings were presented to the gods, Luh Putu and her brothers lay down on a low platform surrounded by their parents and relatives, there to give them spiritual support. 

A traditional dentist, or sangging, performs the actual tooth filing by filing down the canine teeth, which the Balinese strongly believe represent animal-like characteristics in humans. These sharp, pointy teeth — locally known as caling, or literally “fangs”, allegedly represent negative human passions. During the tooth filing, which takes around 10 to 15 minutes for each participant, the sangging places a small piece of sugarcane in the corner of the mouth to keep the jaw open during the process. 

The upper canine teeth are filed first, followed by the lower ones. This ritual is supposed to prevent humans from having the sad ripu, or six destructive desires. The sad ripu consist of kama (lust), lobha (greed), kroda (anger), moha (anxiety), mada (conceit) and matsarya (envy). “I feel very happy. Finally, the metatah ceremony could be performed. My debt has been paid off,” said Ni Made Rai, Luh Putu’s mother. Not all Balinese youth have the same opportunity to perform the ritual as they enter adulthood. 

The high cost has caused many Balinese families to delay until they have enough money. Luh Sari, who is now 33-years-old and the mother of three sons, had to postpone her metatah ritual even after she got married due to the cost. During the ceremony, Ida Bhawati Adi reminded the participants that the ceremony was just symbolic. “The ceremony will not automatically reduce destructive desires, if you do not have the strong inner power to control yourself. 

This ritual is only a reminder that all of you should lead a better life and behave well, especially to your parents,” Ida Bhawati Adi emphasized. Once the ritual was completed, Luh Putu and her brothers kneeled to pay respects to their mother in a sentimental moment. Finally, the entire family brought all of the elaborate offerings and paraphernalia to be thrown out to sea.

source : bali daily