Trunyan is a small village located on the eastern shore of Lake Batur in Bali, Indonesia. This village is famous for its unique culture and customs, including its funerary rituals that involve leaving the deceased in open-air bamboo cages to decompose naturally. One of the most intriguing aspects of Trunyan is its mysterious Trunyan Hill Cemetery, which is located on the slopes of Mount Abang and accessible only by boat. Visitors to Trunyan can witness traditional ceremonies, such as the Ngaben funeral ceremony, and experience the village’s fascinating culture and history firsthand. Trunyan is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore Bali’s rich cultural heritage and unique traditions.
In addition to climbing Trunyan Hill, we may visit Trunyan Hill Camp, which has a large and beautiful camping space. Trunyan Hill camp has undoubtedly been managed with the most exquisite natural beauty and conveniences.
The Trunyan Hill Cemetary
The Trunyan Hill Cemetery is a unique burial site that is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The cemetery is located on the slopes of Mount Abang, an active volcano that overlooks Lake Batur. The site is accessible only by boat and takes about 30 minutes to reach the nearest town of Kedisan.
Once visitors arrive at the Trunyan Hill Cemetery, they are greeted by a surreal and otherworldly landscape. The cemetery is surrounded by dense jungle, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of flowers and incense. The ground is covered with a thick layer of volcanic ash, which gives the site an eerie and surreal appearance.
One of the most striking features of the Trunyan Hill Cemetery is the rows of bamboo cages that hold the remains of the deceased. The cages are open-air, and the bodies inside are left to decompose naturally. The Trunyan people believe that the scent of a decomposing body is pleasant and that it is a sign of the soul’s departure from the physical world.
Another unique aspect of the Trunyan Hill Cemetery is the absence of scavengers, such as vultures and dogs, who are typically attracted to decomposing flesh. The Trunyan people believe that the spirits of their ancestors protect their bodies, preventing them from being disturbed by animals.
Despite the lack of scavengers, the Trunyan Hill Cemetery is home to a large population of black and white spotted Balinese cows. The cows roam freely around the cemetery and are considered sacred by the Trunyan people. They are believed to be the reincarnated souls of the deceased, who have returned to the physical world to continue their existence in a new form.
In addition to the Trunyan Hill Cemetery, the village of Trunyan itself is also a fascinating place to visit. The village is home to around 600 people, and it is known for its unique culture and traditional way of life. The Trunyan people have their own language, which is different from the Balinese language spoken in other parts of the island.
One of the most interesting aspects of Trunyan culture is their unique form of ancestor worship. The Trunyan people believe that the spirits of their ancestors inhabit a sacred tree known as the Taru Menyan. The tree is located in the center of the village, and it is believed to have mystical powers that can protect the community from harm.
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Visitors to Trunyan can witness traditional Trunyan ceremonies, such as the Ngaben funeral ceremony. This ceremony is performed when someone from the village dies, and it involves a procession to the Trunyan Hill Cemetery, where the body is placed in a bamboo cage to decompose. The Ngaben ceremony is a unique and moving experience that offers a glimpse into the ancient and mystical world of Trunyan culture.
Overall, Trunyan and Trunyan Hill Cemetery are fascinating and mysterious destinations that offer a unique window into Balinese culture and history. Visitors who make the journey to this remote village will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience that will stay with them for a lifetime.
Tips for First Timers and Additional Informations
There are two stops to make: the first is where the ceremonies take place, and the second is the real cemetery.
You’d think that visiting a village identified for its death would be a gloomy experience, but everything about it weirdly exudes tranquility. The temple is not like other ‘temples’ in Bali. Instead of large shrines, there are sacred trees with their branches fused together, joining them as one, and a sacred boulder, vestiges of Bali’s original animist beliefs. While shrines exist, the trees and boulders are regarded as pelinggih, or seats, from which the ancestors or deities descend. It genuinely is a small final resting place for the village’s dead.
Then there’s the fabled Trunyan Burial Grounds. Following docking, a group of 50-year-old skulls served as the greeting committee.
Children and those who died unmarried are buried beneath at a separate location. Those who die in an accident or commit suicide have no place in Trunyan and are buried outside the hamlet under a tree. Only married people have a place in this particular cemetery, where bodies are buried openly overground in palm and bamboo cages known as ancak-saji. Why are only married members of society allowed? The belief is that wisdom is gained via marriage; even village leaders are appointed based on the length of marriage, i.e. those who have been married the longest will become the new village leader.
The vast majority of guests who come to Trunyan on their own just hire a costly boat from across the lake. These boat cruises just take you to and from the burial grounds, with no context. We strongly advise against doing so because your journey would be in vain.
We strongly advise you to hire a competent tour guide. You will not only have access to the actual Trunyan Village, the place of worship, and the burial sites in this manner but you will also be provided more cultural context (in English) to truly appreciate your surroundings. Entering through the town also offers much-needed income to the locals. Transportation, Balinese traditional dress, and lunch are also included.
How to Get Here
If you want to visit Trunyan Village despite its strange traditions, here’s how to get there. Trunyan is situated on the eastern bank of Lake Batur, a caldera lake in the heart of Bali. To get to Trunyan, you must first travel inland to Kintamani, which is around a two-hour drive from the main tourist centres of Canggu or Seminyak. After arriving in Kintamani, board a boat from the local port in the village of Songan, which is located on Lake Batur’s more accessible western shore.
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