Between Obong and Ngaben: A Study of The Dynamics of Obong Kalang Jawa and Ngaben Bali

Abstract

This study aims to explore the dynamics of the Obong Kalang ritual in Java and the Ngaben ritual in Bali, focusing on their transformations, meanings, and social functions inside of contemporary cultural contexts. Obong Kalang, a traditional Javanese mortuary ritual, and Ngaben, the central cremation ceremony in Balinese culture, both embody profound religious and cultural significance. Employing a qualitative ethnographic approach, this research collected data through in-depth interviews by community elders and local participants, participant observation during ritual performances, and a review of relevant literature. Thematic analysis was used to identify key ritual elements and to examine the factors driving changes in both practices. The findings reveal that both Obong Kalang and Ngaben represent cultural and spiritual expressions rooted in Hindu and animistic influences. Despite differences in form and execution, both serve as means of releasing the soul by worldly attachments, honoring ancestors, and maintaining harmony among humans, nature, and transcendent forces.