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Sacred Moon and Selonding

A Ceremony of Sound and Spirit Healing

The Sacred Sound of Selonding

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:

  • Byomantara Gosa– the sound of the sky (akasa),
  • Arnawa Srutti –the resonance of water (apah),
  • Agosa
  • Anugosa
  • Anumasika,
  • Bhuh Loka Srutti– the resonance of the earth (pertiwi).

Selonding Gamelan

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 Meaning

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.

Selonding Compositions (Gending)

  1. Pemendak
    This piece is performed first as the opening composition of the entire sequence of Selondingpieces to be played.
  2. Rejang Bandem
    A composition that accompanies the sacred Rejangdance performed during rituals, danced exclusively by women with strong and firm rhythmic movements. Rejang Bandem is one of the classical Selonding pieces traditionally used to accompany the sacred Rejang Adat Deha dance in Bebandem Village. Among the various forms of Rejang Adat, this gending is specifically dedicated to the Bebandem tradition. Musically, the composition is very simple.
  3. Rejang Renteng
    A composition that accompanies a sacred dance performed with dancers holding linked scarves, symbolizing spiritual connection and unity.
  4. Rejang Lente
    Similar to Rejang Renteng, this composition accompanies a sacred dance performed by middle-aged women and elders. The dancers use scarves as spiritual bonds. Rejang Lenteemploys orchestration in the Saih Sadi mode, with its composition utilizing gegebug Sekatian on the Nyongnyong Alit and Nyongnyong Ageng instruments, while the Penem Petuduh plays the gegebug Nerompong. This piece is part of the Selonding repertoire in the Tenganan tradition.
  5. Kungkang
    Literally meaning “silent, still, serene,” this piece evokes quietness and solemnity, with only the sound of Selonding resonating as a prayer for safety. Kungkangis a classical Selonding composition performed during Usaba Sumbu. Musically, it is very simple, with a short colotomic structure. However, it contains a distinctive section where the Penyorog tone is used as the colotomic note during the Uncab (loud/strong) passage.
  6. Pendet Abuang
    A composition accompanying the Pendetdance, performed at the conclusion of ritual ceremonies. Pendet Abuang is one of the classical Selonding pieces used to accompany the sacred Wali Pendet Abuang Structurally, the composition consists of three parts: Pengawit (introduction), Gending (main body), and Ngonying (closing). The main body includes two types of oncangan rhythms. The melody of this composition feels majestic and rhythmic.
  7. Pengangkep
    Performed as the closing composition, serving as the conclusion of the entire sequence of Selonding

The Sacred Ceremony

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.

Selonding Stuti Swara Ensemble

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:

  • Pemendak
  • Rejang Bandem
  • Rejang Renteng
  • Rejang Lente
  • Pendet Abuang
  • Kungkang

Calendar

  • Sunday, October 12, 2025
  • Sunday, November 16, 2025
  • Sunday, December 14, 2025
  • Sunday, January 18, 2026
  • Sunday, February 14, 2026
  • Sunday, March 15, 2026
  • Sunday, April 12, 2026
  • Sunday, May 17, 2026
  • Friday, June 26, 2026
  • Sunday, July 12, 2026
  • Sunday, August 16, 2026
  • Sunday, September 13, 2026

Event Rundown

  • Registration, welcoming, and seating arrangement
  • Introduction to the significance of Fullmoon and Selonding
  • Welcome remarks, opening by MC
  • Explanation of the ritual’s meaning
  • Preparation for blessings
  • 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

  • Closing remarks
  • Guests depart in a serene, reflective atmosphere