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The sound of the Selonding gamelan is regarded as sacred, symbolizing the voice of Pranawa. Selonding is one of the most ancient and sacred gamelans in Bali, tuned in the seven-tone pelog scale called Sapta Nada, and is indispensable in Hindu religious ceremonies.
According to the Vedas, Hindu theology teaches that Pranawa or Omkara is a symbol (nyasa) that manifests the Supreme God in the limited, immanent world. Hindus worship the Lord of the Universe by invoking Him through the sacred chant OM. The essence of worship lies in drawing closer to the Divine; the purer the devotee, the clearer the presence of the One worshipped.
The Lontar Prakempa (Balinese palm-leaf manuscript) describes that all instruments or gamelans originate from the sound of Genta Pinara Pitu. This sound is the true resonance of the universe (Bhuwana Agung). From it emerge seven primary tones called Sapta Suara:
Selonding gamelan, crafted from iron, is found only in Karangasem, specifically in Tenganan Pagringsingan and Bongaya villages. In Tenganan, its full name is Bhatara Bagus Selonding, meaning Selonding is revered as an almighty ancestor. Its role has always been sacred, accompanying religious practices from the era of ancient Bali to the modern day, never losing its place in Hindu ritual ceremonies.
The name Selonding is believed to derive from Salon and Ning, meaning ‘sacred place.’ Its exact history remains unclear, yet it has always been performed during Balinese customary and religious ceremonies. In essence, Selonding represents the manifestation of the sacred sound of Omkara, embodied in ritual worship.
In Bali, the full moon (Purnama) is revered as a holy day, believed to be the moment when the deities descend to earth to bestow blessings. It is a sacred time for prayer, purification, reflection, and gratitude.
This understanding is closely tied to the sacred rhythm of the Balinese week. Sunday, or Redite (from Raditya, meaning the sun), marks the beginning of life’s journey each week, continuing until Saturday (Saniscara). Redite is a day to honor the earth’s primary source of energy, the sun. Raditya shares the same meaning as Surya, Baskara, Byomantara, or simply the sun itself. Even in English, “Sunday” carries the same essence: Sun and Day, a day to pay homage to the source of life that sustains all beings, for without the sun, existence would not be possible.
When the full moon aligns with these solar cycles, the ceremony becomes even more profound. The moon, reflecting the power of the sun, reminds us of universal balance: the harmony of cosmic forces, the interconnectedness of nature, and the eternal blessings that flow to humanity. To honor this balance, the full moon ceremony combines ritual prayers with the ancient resonance of the Selonding gamelan, a sacred sound symbolizing the unity of heaven, earth, and spirit.
Presenting the Selonding gamelan on this sacred night is an offering of gratitude to the Creator for the abundance bestowed upon humanity. Its tones embody harmony between the heavens (akasa/purusa) and the earth (pertiwi/pradana). This unity of natural elements represents life itself, a life that must be safeguarded to preserve the balance of the universe and ensure the continuity of humankind.
At Bagus Jati, this harmony is lived through the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana; the balance between human beings (pawongan), the natural environment (palemahan), and the Divine (parahyangan). This philosophy finds expression in the ritual Sacred Moon and Selonding, where sound, spirit, and cosmic energy converge in a timeless celebration of gratitude and balance.
The performance will be presented by Sekehe Selonding Stuti Swara, a traditional gamelan ensemble formed by close family lineages (sebunan) that remain dedicated to sacred rituals in Bali and in East Java.
The ritual will begin with prayers and blessings for both the Selonding instruments and the musicians, led by the group’s leader. The ensemble will then perform ancient Selonding compositions (gending), such as:
Sacred prayers and offerings
Ritual purification for instruments and performers
Explanation of Selonding
Performance by Sekehe Gong Selonding Stuti Swara
Ancient Balinese compositions (Pemendak, Rejang Renteng, Pendet Abuang, etc.)
Experience of sacred resonance as sound healing
