Mekotek – “Refuse Misfortune Ceremony”

Mekotek is one of the cultural heritages that have existed since 1915. This tradition is done by the Munggu Village, Mengwi District , Bali in every 210 days. initially using a stick of iron, to avoid so that no one was injured, then in 1948 replaced using a stick of wood , whose skin has been peeled and become smooth with a length of 2 – 3,5 meters, while the original spear is stored in the temple. This tradition is followed by almost all Munggu residents, especially men between the ages of 12-60 years. They are grouped in several groups, each group of about 50 people, the wooden sticks they carry are pitted to form like a pyramid. This tradition accompanied by Balinese traditional music (gamelan).

History Of Mekotek

mengwi-kingdom

At the beginning of this tradition was held, conducted by residents to welcome the arrival of troops King Mengwi who now has a relic of the royal temple called Taman Ayun Temple which is also one of the tourist attraction in Bali. The citizen’s speech was made at that time because of the victory of Mengwi’s troops who headed the war against the Blambangan kingdom that existed on the Java Island.

Mekotek tradition in Munggu is indeed very sacred, although at first just a welcome welcome to the victory of the royal troops. But become an ancestral cultural heritage that continues to be held. However, in the Dutch colonial era, in 1915 there had been concerns of the invaders for the rebellion, because the tradition known as “Gerebeg” is possible to bring the spirit of the struggle of the people, the colonial worried and then the tradition is stopped. After the procession is not held again, then there was an outbreak of disease, eventually Mekotek tradition was re-held.