Tooth Filing Ceremony (Mepandes), A sacred rite of passage in Balinese Hinduism
The tooth filing ceremony, also known as mepandes, metatah, or mesangih, is a sacred ritual in Balinese Hindu tradition that marks the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This ceremony holds deep spiritual, social, and cultural significance, symbolizing the purification and self-control expected of a mature individual. The tradition of tooth filing has been passed down…