Tumpek Landep

Tumpek Landep is a Balinese festival that is held to celebrate divine inspiration as a way to honour the god of taksu.

The festival’s name is derived from two words: tumpek and landep. Tumpek translates to ‘nearby’ in the local dialect, while the latter means ‘sharp’. This manifests itself in the festival, where offerings are made for objects that are made of metal.

Tumpek Landep was originally a ceremony to pay homage to items of ancestral heritage, such as daggers and spears. However, over time, the meaning of this ceremony has somewhat changed, and locals now bless all metal items, including cars, motorcycles, computers, and even refrigerators.

One of the fundamental rituals carried out during Tumpek Landep is cleansing to ensure that devotees are sure to partake in the celebrations. This cleansing honours different ancestral spirits and pays homage to the departed.

The celebrations are marked at various temples across the island. Families with dedicated shrines at their homes can also make offerings there. This is done to invoke prosperity and goodwill from the god Shiva Pasupati. Local artists engage in this festival to ask for inspiration to make their art relevant to society.

At the core of Tumpek Landep is recognising the role inspiration plays regarding divinity. Visitors to Bali will be awed by the various ceremonial acts that the locals observe to commemorate this festival.