Bambu Gila is a mystical ritual performed in Indonesia’s Maluku
Islands, where a group of strong men struggle to control a piece of bamboo from
moving around like crazy as if it were possessed by an unseen power.
The
origins of Bambu Gila, or Crazy Bamboo, are unknown, but it is believed the
ancient ritual was once used to induce a fearless fighting mentality before
going to war. Today, the once warring tribes of Maluku live in piece and this
unique tradition has been reduced to a popular tourist attraction. Preparations
for Bambu Gila start with a special ceremony in which the local shamans ask
permission from the spirits that still dwell in the nearby bamboo forests to
cut down a log for the famous dance. Crazy bamboos are brought from
Mount Gamalama, the volcanic mountain in Ternate, Northern Maluku, where the
spirits are believed to be the strongest, cut to a specific size, cleaned and
rubbed with coconut oil. During the actual ritual, seven of the strongest
villagers are selected to handle the bamboo which supposedly starts to move by
itself and becomes increasingly heavier and more difficult to control, after a
ginger-chewing shaman recites strange mantras and blows incense into it.
Although it’s hard to believe there are supernatural forces at work, the
performers put on quite a show that attracts thousands of visitors from all
over Indonesia and beyond.
Sources : http://www.odditycentral.com/events/bambu-gila-the-crazy-bamboo-dance-of-maluku.html
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