For many, celebrating New Year’s is all about that special kiss and some could say that Bali’s no different. In fact, one village in Bali has a special ritual where kissing takes center stage, or street in this case.
Every year, men and women approximately ages 17-30 line up in Banjar Kaja Sesatan Village, Denpasar for omed-omedan and kiss en masse to celebrate the passing of the Balinese new year on the day after being cooped up inside all day for Nyepi. Before taking to the streets, the ritual beings with worship in the temple.
Appreciate Sestan’s take on the new year kiss for yourself with these images of the lip-locking from omed-omedan on March 22 for the Balinese year of 1937.
Omed-omedan translates to pull-pull, which is taken quite literally.
Water is thrown on the kissers by villagers in the streets to keep them in check and make sure things don’t get too hot and heavy.
The kissing festival culminates with males pursuing females, some with shy pecks on the cheek or, for the bolder ones, a kiss on the lips. PHOTO: AFP/Sonny Tumbelaka
PHOTO: AFP/Sonny Tumbelaka
Reader Interactions