Tooth filing is considered essential for every Balinese adult sooner or later to have his teeth filed – so much so that in the event of accidental death in youth the teeth of the body will be filed before cremation or burried ceremony.

The purpose of the ceremony is to reduce the power of the vices of greed, jealousy, anger, drunkenness, lust and “confusion” that are considered more appropriate to animals than to humans. Consequently, the two upper canine teeth, and the four incisors between them, are filed down amid feasting and general celebration. Because of the cost of the hospitality involved, toot-filing ceremonies are often held in conjunction with other rituals. And because it’s thought desirable to have had teeth filed before getting married, the ceremony is frequently held in conjunction with a wedding.

Ideally, the six teeth are filed down by someone of the Brahmana caste called Sangging. The patients, dressed in their finest, lie down in a pavilion, usually two at a time, surrounded by offering. They are then wrapped in a white cloth while family and friends gather around.

The extent to which the teeth are filed down depends largely on the wishes of the subject, but as filed teeth are considered beautifully as well as an aid to virtue, it is not uncommon for a thorough job to be requested. The filing usually takes between 15 minutes to 30 minutes. The mouth is held open by a short piece of sugar-cane and from time to time the patient spits out the filings into a yellow coconut which is later buried in the family temple. A small mirror allows the victim to inspect the work and request improvements. Often hundreds of young men and women have their teeth filed together in one ceremony to save on expense. Should you would like to know in deeply about Bali ritual, culture and way of life, our Bali private tour driver will be in happy to share the information about them.