Sacred Paper: Exploring the Materiality and Symbolism of Daluang in Balinese Hindu Rituals

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Tedi Permadi, Alva Guzzini, Euis Kurniasih

2025 Jurnal Kajian Bali Vol. 15 Issue 2 Article Cited by 1 SDG 17SDG 16SDG 5 Quartile

Abstract

Balinese Hinduism provides a rich context for exploring the intersection of material culture and religious belief. This study aims to explore the dual roles of daluang (also known as walantaga) in Balinese Hindu rituals, functioning both as a ritual object and a sacred symbol. Utilizing ethnographic methods and textual analysis, the research draws from four Balinese Hindu lontar manuscripts, including Kakawin Ramayana, Yajna Prakerti and Wedana Pujastawa. Data collection involved participant observation and interviews conducted with seven Hindu priests. Guided by Geertz’s interpretive framework, findings reveal that daluang serves not only as a material for crafting key ritual items but also as a vital medium for spiritual communication, embodying core cultural values and cosmological concepts within Balinese Hinduism. This study contributes to broader discussions on the role of material culture in sustaining intangible religious heritage and expression in contemporary Balinese society. © 2025 by the author (s).

Affiliations

Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Indonesia; University of Amsterdam, Netherlands; Universitas Indraprasta PGRI, Indonesia

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