Tree Ceremony

The sacred tree had fallen in the night — uncharacteristically strong winds, the whole village going dark. It had stood for generations, some said 300 years. Before it could be cut, the spirits who lived there needed to be honoured, and carefully moved.

A fellow artist and I wrapped ourselves in sarongs and arrived as preparations were underway. We sat on the closed road and began to paint. The atmosphere was intense — heat, the hum of activity, time moving both fast and slow. And then suddenly everyone was seated, the whole village gathered in ceremonial dress, forming a semi-circle around the priest and the tree.

Someone passed frangipani back to us on small banana-leaf trays. We set our brushes down and joined the prayers. Just like that, we were part of it — surprise, then acceptance, then something that felt like grace.

It didn't last long. Afterwards it was scorching and reflective, and we politely bowed our way out of the next parts of their day.

This painting was exhibited at Masa Masa Gallery, Ubud, as part of the USK Bali exhibition.