CELEBRATING GALUNGAN DAY IN MIAMI USA

CELEBRATING GALUNGAN DAY IN MIAMI USA

Galungan is an important festival in Bali, celebrated by Hindus. It symbolizes the battle between good (Dharma) and evil (Adharma). Galungan is a time to honor ancestors and uphold moral values. During the festival, special Balinese dishes are prepared, prayers are offered, and homes are decorated with penjor, symbolizing abundance and fertility. Galungan fosters social bonding and emphasizes the importance of traditions and values in daily life.

As Balinese children living abroad, we celebrate the Galungan festival in the city of Miami, United States. Despite being far from our homeland, we continue to uphold our traditions and culture by commemorating this meaningful celebration. As overseas children, we feel it is crucial to preserve our traditions and celebrate Galungan with enthusiasm. Together, we collaborate to prepare all the necessary items for the celebration. We go shopping to buy ingredients for Balinese dishes, such as lawar, babi kecap, sate lilit, and various other delicious delicacies. These traditional Balinese foods have distinctive flavors and are an integral part of Galungan celebrations.

 

Additionally, we purchase ceremonial items, including flowers, incense, and fresh fruits, for the prayer rituals. We also work together to create event decorations, such as crafting small penjor (decorative bamboo poles) and weaving coconut palm fronds that we personally gather in front of our homes. The process of creating these decorations not only strengthens our bond as a community but also adds warmth and beauty to our celebration.

On the highly anticipated day, we begin our preparations in the morning. Everyone who is available lends a hand with enthusiasm, from decorating and cooking dishes to all other necessary arrangements. We work while joking and chatting, creating an atmosphere full of joy. We also invite some of our American colleagues to join our celebration and introduce them to Balinese culture. They eagerly don Balinese traditional attire and participate in the communal prayer with us. Experiencing the warmth of camaraderie and the uniqueness of Balinese culture amidst our American friends is truly impressive.

At 9 p.m., we gather to perform the joint prayer ceremony. With utmost solemnity and devotion, we honor our ancestors and pray together. After the prayer, we capture this moment through a group photo session and begin indulging in the lovingly prepared traditional Balinese dishes. The event continues with cheerfulness and joy. We engage in conversations, play games, and enjoy drinks together. The night grows late, but our spirit and togetherness remain ablaze.

Celebrating Galungan in Miami has become an unforgettable experience. Apart from uniting us as overseas children, this celebration also provides us with an opportunity to introduce Balinese culture to our American friends. All of this teaches us the importance of preserving and appreciating our traditions while fostering cross-cultural brotherhood. 

I hope our story can inspire and remind everyone about the significance of upholding and celebrating our traditions, wherever we may be. Until we meet again in the next Galungan celebration!