Origin

Bali constitutes the greatest community hindouist apart from the India. However, the Hindouisme developed differently on the island indonésienne, so that its inhabitants gave him another name: Agama Tirtal. This term means the " literally; science of water bénite".

Description

This religion, just like hindouism of India, called upon the concept of caste. Each Balinese must fill his religious duties according to his Caste. Agama Tirtal was influenced by religious concepts of China and Java, in addition to those of India. It is a religion more close to the Earth, more Animiste. In fact the temples ensure the connection between the people and the gods (there is a whole Pantheon). Besides the Balineses have very a great fear vis-a-vis the spirits or with the phantoms. They fear that they are dissimulated under the appearance of black cats, corbels or nude women.

Some rites

The filing of the teeth, which takes place with adolescence, the marriage and the cremation are three big steps in the life of a person believing in Agama Tirtal. There are also reclusion and purification symbolic system in the girls has just had their first menstruations. Several Rites of passage is single in Bali.

References

• DALTON, Bill. Indonesia, Geneva, Olizane Editions, 1992,367 p.
• RICHARD, Elisabeth and Antoinette VICART. Indonesia, Paris, Arthaud Editions, 1991,449 p.