The Ngusaba Desa Tradition of Julah

The Ngusaba Desa tradition is one of the largest and most sacred customary ceremonies in Julah Village, Tejakula District, Buleleng Regency. This ritual is held once a year as an expression of gratitude and devotion to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God Almighty) for the fertility of the land, the safety of the community, and the harmony of the natural and spiritual worlds of the village. The ceremony is typically conducted at Pura Desa Adat Julah, the main temple that serves as the center of religious activities for the local community. It involves all villagers, both men and women with clearly defined roles that are deeply rooted in ancestral traditions.

The ceremony is marked by a series of sacred activities such as matur piuning (initial prayers), mendak pratima (welcoming sacred effigies), and ngaturang banten upakara (offering rituals). One aspect that distinguishes Ngusaba Desa Julah from similar ceremonies elsewhere in Bali is the pangelapasan sesuhunan procession, in which the village’s guardian deity symbol (sesuhunan) is paraded around the village to bless the land with tirta amerta (holy water symbolizing the water of life). Villagers also offer agricultural produce such as rice, fruits, and seafood, symbolizing Julah’s local wisdom in maintaining balance among parhyangan (relationship with God), pawongan (relationship among humans), and palemahan (relationship with nature).

The local wisdom contained in this tradition lies in the philosophy of togetherness and collective responsibility in maintaining village harmony. Every resident is obligated to participate in all stages of the ceremony, from preparing ritual materials and making offerings (banten) to ensuring order during the rituals. The Ngusaba Desa Julah ceremony not only serves as a medium for preserving spiritual values but also strengthens the social and cultural identity of the community. Through this ceremony, younger generations are taught to understand the meaning of Tri Hita Karana in a tangible way and to develop an awareness of the importance of preserving ancestral heritage.