Tumpek Landep: Blessing my motorbike in Bali
Bali is a place where spirituality seamlessly blends with everyday life. With ceremonies happening almost daily, whether for temple anniversaries, full moon rituals, or family blessings, there’s always something sacred being celebrated. One such tradition is Tumpek Landep, a special day originally dedicated to honouring and blessing weapons. Over time, this has evolved to include all metal objects, particularly vehicles and tools. Following the Balinese Pawukon calendar, Tumpek Landep occurs every 210 days.
The name ‘Tumpek Landep’ comes from the high Balinese language, with ‘tumpek’ meaning to sharpen. While the ceremony is about showing gratitude for tools and vehicles that aid us in daily life, it also carries a deeper significance. The Balinese believe it’s a day to ‘sharpen’ the mind, seeking wisdom, clarity, and guidance from ancestors on their spiritual path.
Last night, my husband took our motorbike to our friend Ketut’s home, where his family was holding their Tumpek Landep ceremony. The air was rich with the scent of incense, the rhythmic sounds of prayers, and the sight of beautifully arranged offerings, vibrant flowers, fruits, and symbolic decorations carefully placed in front of the family’s collection of Keris (ceremonial daggers) and other tools. Like many others, our motorbike was decorated with young coconut leaves and canang sari, small handcrafted offerings made from palm leaves, flowers, and incense.
Although I wasn’t able to attend this time, I am always in awe of how deeply spirituality is woven into daily life in Bali. With so many ceremonies taking place, I hope to experience Tumpek Landep firsthand in the future and take part in these beautiful traditions myself. Until then, I’m grateful to witness these moments through my husband’s experience and photographs.
Photos by Photius Drakos
