Klungkung, Ancient Kingdoms

Klungkung Observes Tumpek Landep Holy Day

All objects relating to luck and reserving magic powers for mankind should pose on the plain gratefulness among people affecting them with a sense of love towards the objects. At least we should avoid misuse. Such a standpoint is not an exaggeration, while there is a need to celebrate ‘Tumpek Landep’ Holy Day in prayer of Sang Hyang Widhi God manifested in Sang Hyang Pasupati.

Sang Hyang Pasupati has created and taken care of all kinds of human working implements made of iron, while parts of it have a pointed end, termed by Balinese as landep, etymologically being related to landep (sharp). Thus, Tumpek Landep Holy Day relates to sharp-pointed objects made of iron, including sickles and ploughs and other implements used by farmers in preparing their rice fields for new planting.
I Wayan Karsa (58) lives with farmers in Tangkas Village, located 46 km east of Denpasar in Klungkung. This village is 4 km away from Semarapura. Karsa will observe the holy day and give thanks to all iron implements that he uses for growing crops in rice fields.
Karsa in observing ‘Tumpek Landep’ this year started by moving his farming tools from a small hut storage in the rice field to his home. However, the ritual takes place in the rice field for the heavier implements such as ploughs. A dagger is used during the ritual, probably owned by the farmer.
The offerings (sesaji), are prepared one day preceding Tumpek Landep Day, and in general are not bought, but home made by family members. The ‘Tumpek Landep’ ceremony starts at about 5 o’clock in the evening with farming implements laid down on the floor covered by mats, together with the farming implements that have already been cleaned.
Women in general play a prominent role in executing the Tumpek Landep ceremony, firstly by giving sesaji offerings in the family temple. After this, a priest is to spread out tirta holy water functioning as means of purifying the implements, followed by a ritual of thanks to God Almighty manifested as the iron lord for the sake of common prosperity and happiness. (Kt Darmawan)