...Mount Agung: Balinese Ancestral Spirit or Hindu Deity??...

The indigenous tradition of Bali is anchored in the dominance of the mountain, as the abode of the ancestors. On account of its geological features, the mountain is the ultimate generator of meaning: in its sometimes terrifying volcanic presence, it embodies death in nature; yet, in the food its waters produce, it is also the provider of life; and last but not least, it stands in permanent opposition to the chaotic, unknown forces of the sea.

Beneath this postcard image lies a much older reality. Long before the arrival of early Indic influences, an indigenous Austronesian culture prospered, characterised by the dominance of the mountain in its dialogue with the sea. Understanding modern Bali thus requires looking past this Indic layer to uncover the old Balinese heart that still beats underneath.

The mountain is also the abode of To Langkir, the Balinese Ancestral Spirit, whose essence is sprinkled over the faithful to guide and protect. Human life in Bali is seen as a journey guided by ritual navigation, respecting the unseen powers of the *niskala* and the seen powers of the *sekala* to return safely to the mountain after death.