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PERANG PANDAN
The Balinese War Dance held in the village of Karangasem is a ceremony dedicated to Indra, the god of war. The ritual combat is performed with 15cm "clubs" made by binding together Pandan leaves. Each leaf is edged with small thorns, while the shield is made of rattan.
During the combat, the competitors engage in "scratching" each other's backs. Bloody wounds are common, and the blood shed during the ritual is seen as an offering to appease the gods. They are then treated using an ointment made from a mixture of peanuts, turmeric, and other spices.
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