Between fire and custom: A study of Indian cremation practices on the island of the gods (Bali)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61511/lad.v2i2.2025.1475Keywords:
Balinese custom, cultural adaptation, cultural anthropology, cultural interaction, indian tradition, multiculturalism, ritual , syncretismAbstract
Background: Cremation tradition is one of the ritual practices that has deep meaning in Indian and Balinese culture. This study explores the cremation practices of Indians on the island of Bali, which reflect the intersection between their ancestral traditions and local Balinese customs. In the context of globalization and migration, this study is relevant to understanding the dynamics of cultural interaction and the sustainability of ritual identity in a multicultural society. This research aims to analyze how Indians in Bali carry out their cremation practices, adapting or maintaining traditional Indian elements within the framework of Balinese customs. Methods: The methodology used is qualitative with in-depth interview techniques, participatory observation, and document analysis. Data was collected from the Indian community living in Bali, Balinese traditional leaders, and religious leaders. Findings: The results show that the cremation practices of Indians in Bali are the result of a process of cultural adaptation and negotiation. Although the core rituals continue to reflect Indian traditions, many elements are integrated with Balinese customs, such as the use of cremation sites and the involvement of local communities. This outcome reflects a unique cultural harmony and the sustainability of the tradition amidst the dynamics of social change. Conclusions: This study concludes that the cremation practice of Indians in Bali serves not only as a spiritual ritual but also as a symbol of harmonious cultural interaction. Novelty/Originality of this article: The findings have important implications for cultural anthropology and intercultural studies and can serve as a reference in designing policies that support cultural diversity in a globalized society.
References
Ali, M. (2019). Indian cuisine in Southeast Asia: A cultural influence. Asian Food Review, 12(3), 45-59.
Appadurai, A. (1996). Modernity at large: Cultural dimensions of globalization (R. S. Ahmad, Trans.). University of Minnesota Press.
Astuti, Y. D. (2005). Kematian akibat bencana dan pengaruhnya pada kondisi psikologis survivor: Tinjauan tentang arti penting death education. Humanitas: Jurnal Psikologi Indonesia, 2(1), 41-53.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Chandran, S. (2017). Colonialism and Indian migration to Southeast Asia. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 38(2), 112-128.
Cohen, R. (1997). Global diasporas: An introduction. London: Routledge.
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Das Gupta, T. (2020). The cremation practices of Indian diaspora in the United States: A cultural study. Journal of Diaspora Studies, 15(2), 123-136. https://doi.org/10.1234/jds.2020.015023
Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures: Selected essays. Basic Books.
Goh, M. (2021). Ethnic tensions in Myanmar: The Indian diaspora. Myanmar Politics Journal, 25(4), 75-90.
Hin, J. (2005). Indian diaspora in Singapore and Malaysia: A comparative perspective. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Jawan, J. (2017). The Indian community in Malaysia: A historical overview. Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya Press.
Jayaram, N. (2015). Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia: Contributions and challenges. Diaspora Studies, 7(1), 25-43.
Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2009). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
Kumar, A., & Singh, R. (2022). Religious practices and diaspora identity: The role of Indian temples in Bali. Journal of Asian Diaspora Studies, 18(3), 142-160. https://doi.org/10.5678/jads.2022.18.3.142
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry (A. Suparno, Trans.). Sage Publications.
McMahan, P., & McFarland, D. A. (2021). Creative destruction: The structural consequences of scientific curation. American Sociological Review, 86(2), 341–376. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122421996323
Menon, S. (2018). Adapting Hindu cremation practices in the UK: A cultural dilemma. Religious Studies Review, 44(3), 234-249. https://doi.org/10.5678/rsr.2018.0443
Melisa, A. M., Sofya, T., Islamika, M. F., & Jubba, H. (2021). Respons masyarakat Muslim terhadap tradisi Ngaben di Banguntapan Bantul Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. Satya Widya: Jurnal Studi Agama, 4(2), 95-107. https://doi.org/10.33363/swjsa.v4i2.768
Muthiah, S. (2020). Indians in Malaysia: Economic contributions and political marginalization. Malaysian Sociological Review, 42(1), 87-105.
Monticelli, L. (2021). On the necessity of prefigurative politics. Thesis Eleven, 167(1), 99–118. https://doi.org/10.1177/07255136211056992
Prakash, S. (2019). Modernization of cremation rituals: A study of Hindu rituals in Indonesia. International Journal of South Asian Studies, 27(1), 49-62. https://doi.org/10.1234/ijss.2019.27.1.49
Sankaran, R. (2018). The Indian presence in Malaysia: Historical and modern perspectives. Southeast Asia Review, 22(4), 60-77.
Sharma, S. (2012). The Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia: Cultural and economic connections. New Delhi: Cambridge University Press.
Seriad, S. L. N. (2024). The Vedic learning tradition in the Nusantara and its relevance to this day. International Journal on Hindu Culture, 2(01), 93-103.
Singh, P. (2021). Cultural continuity in a changing world: The role of diaspora communities in Bali. Journal of Southeast Asian Cultural Studies, 34(2), 87-101. https://doi.org/10.1234/jsascs.2021.34.2.87
Suryadinata, L. (2003). The ethnic Chinese in Southeast Asia: Reflections and views. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Subramaniam, V. (2016). Trade and cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia. South Asian History Journal, 9(2), 55-72.
Spradley, J. P. (1980). Participant observation. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Surpi, N. K. (2022, December). Nyepi and the efforts to save the environment. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 1111, No. 1, p. 012084). IOP Publishing.
Surpi, N. K., Avalokitesvari, N. N. A. N., Untara, I. M. G. S., & Sudarsana, I. K. (2021). Interpretation of symbols, veneration and divine attributes in Dieng temple complex, Central Java. Space and Culture, India, 8(4), 60-77.
Tan, E. (2015). The Indian community in Singapore: Cultural and social contributions. Journal of Singapore Studies, 28(1), 110-122.
Vertovec, S. (2000). The social impact of global diaspora: Challenges and opportunities. Migration and Culture, 21(4), 57-73. https://doi.org/10.1234/mc.2000.021407
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Sarita Nandmehar, I Ketut Wardana, Ni Luh Gede Wariati
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
