Manusa Yadnya: A Balinese ritual for babies

The Manusa Yadnya is a rite towards human beings, which is intended to purify one’s self from leteh (unholiness and misfortune), as well as to avoid temptations, causing disaster and death.

Chronologically, the ritual consists of:
Magedog gedongan (when the baby is still in the womb), Bulan Pitung Dina (42 days after birth, Nyambutin (105 days after birth), Ngotonin (210 days after birth). The Ngotonin ceremony is performed again and again every 210 days, according to the Wuku calendar.

When the child enters adulthood, the tooth-filing ceremony is completed. For marriage, the Pawiwahan ceremony is performed.

On display at the Bali Museum, are a traditional baby’s cradle (ayunan), a bamboo cage for caging the baby, a clay washbasin for keeping fish and a Pelangkirin, or chair-like piece of equipment, for placing offerings to the God Kumara.