Mecaru

Mecaru is a ceremony held for the good balance of people and nature. Balinese Hindus believe evil spirits hide in tall trees, bridges, and crossroads. Evil spirits will remain silent if they are recognized and honored. People are often uncomfortable and feel strange in places where evil spirits are present. When people walk through these places, they are cautious and attentive. But once the proper ceremonies are performed, and the spirits are not disturbed, they will not interfere with people's lives.

During the Mecaru ceremony, offerings are made to the Bhuta Kala (spirit of the dead) consisting of shrimp paste, which smells very bad, ginger, onions, and raw meat. Also, alcoholic drinks made from Arak and Brem rice are used, which are very strong in taste and smell. The challenge is to discourage the souls of the Bhuta Kala from staying away.

The Mecaru ceremony has three levels: low, medium, and high. They differ mainly in the type of offerings that are used.

Low Mecaru: The offerings contain mainly flowers, rice, ginger, and onions. The ritual may be performed by the head of the household or the eldest of the family. No animals are sacrificed during low Mecaru.

Medium Mecaru: The offerings contain several types of rice: white, yellow, black, and red. A duck or a chicken is sacrificed, and its blood is smeared on the ground. This is to satisfy the spirits, to make them good. The middle Mecaru must be performed by a priest or holy person (Pinandita) who has yet to reach the highest level of holiness (Pedanda).

High Mecaru: This is a large ceremony with hundreds of sacrifices, including animal sacrifices such as buffalo, cow, pig, or puppy. Only those animals that are suitable according to their color are sacrificed. Balinese Hindus believe the sacrificed animal will improve after reincarnation because it has been sacrificed as pure. Also, they always hold a special ceremony to promote it in the next life. The high Mecaru must always be performed by the high priest (Pedanda).

The Mecaru ritual is performed for the house before sleeping in it for the first time. Alternatively, it can be performed when the construction begins.

Furthermore, Mecaru is performed, for example, after an accident on the road, a fire in the house, etc.