Mebuug-buugan: The Tradition of Self-Purification Using Mud in Kedonganan Customary Village
The Mebuug-buugan tradition was held in Kedonganan Customary Village, Kuta Subdistrict, Badung, Bali, on Friday (20/3/2026). Mebuug-buugan is a hereditary tradition carried out as part of the Ngembak Geni series, a ritual one day after Nyepi.
Around 250 participants, from children to adults, took part in this year’s Mebuug-buugan tradition. The event began with gathering and praying together in front of the Kedonganan Customary Village Temple. When the tide receded, they proceeded through the mangrove forest area to Segara Beach.
Upon arriving at the location, the participants applied mud to their entire bodies, including their faces. This is the hallmark of the Mebuug-buugan tradition. Often, they also played with the mud, creating unique designs on their heads, and even planting small plants as decorations.
Laughter and cheers from the participants grew louder as their faces became smeared, indicating an increasingly lively atmosphere. Especially when participants chased each other, some even throwing mud at one another.
The Secretary of Kedonganan Customary Village, I Made Winda, explained that the tradition of covering the body with mud serves as an effort for self-purification. According to him, after the Nyepi celebration, the universe or bhuana agung has been purified. Therefore, humans, as part of nature, also need to perform self-purification.
“After we celebrate Nyepi, the bhuana agung or the natural world has been cleansed. Now, for ourselves, the cleansing is done through the Mebuug-buugan tradition. That’s the essence, so that in welcoming the new Saka year, we are in a state of health and well-being,” Winda explained.
In the Mebuug-buugan tradition, mud holds meaning as a symbol of humanity’s bond with nature. “Yes, because mud comes from Mother Earth. So, from Pertiwi. We must not detach from Pertiwi and the sea,” Winda stated.
The mud used in the Mebuug-buugan tradition is not just any mud. It is specially selected from the eastern beach area with a brown/red colour, not the usual black, making it safe for the skin and non-irritating.
“The mud used is selected mud, not just any mud. So we specifically seek the source of mud on the eastern beach; its colour is brown, not black,” Winda clarified.
After the mud-playing procession finished, participants exited the mangrove area and walked to Kedonganan Beach to rinse off in the sea. The participants were seen cleaning the mud from their bodies while playing in the waves and enjoying the sunset atmosphere.
However, the Mebuug-buugan tradition series does not end there. The event continued into the night with Segara Langu entertainment. This entertainment serves as the closing of the entire Ngembak Geni series in Kedonganan Customary Village.