Balinese Tooth-Filing Ceremony Food

Metatah (or mepandes) is the Balinese Hindu rite of passage in which a young person (typically adolescent, performed before marriage) has the upper six front teeth filed to even, straight edges — the physical act symbolising the refinement of the six *sad ripu* (bad emotions: desire, anger, greed, intoxication, confusion, jealousy) into civilised humanity. The ceremony is among the most elaborate in the Balinese ritual calendar, requiring significant family expenditure, extensive preparation, and specific ceremonial foods. The food for metatah is both the ceremonial offering (banten) and the feast food for extended family and invited guests.

Metatah / Mepandes — Food of the Tooth-Filing Rite

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