Saturday, January 12, 2013

a bizarre postcard from Bali - WTF is Potong Gigi?!?

Found this odd postcard in Padang Bai, Bali. Potong gigi means 'tooth filling' and it's a ceremony performed in order to to get rid of invisible forces of evil; according to Balinese tradition, teeth are symbol of greed, insobriety, jealousy and even confusion (?). Filing the teeth therefore renders someone both more physically and more spiritually beautiful, as well as symbolises the rite of passage from an adolescent into adulthood.
Tools used for Potong Gigi include a file, a small hammer and a carver (!).
If anyone wants to get this postcard, let me know your address.


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