Salina Christmas

The Balinese trance that features a stabbing ritual and spirit possession described in this story was witnessed by the author herself at a Hindu temple at Canggu, Bali, Indonesia. It’s not an uncommon ritual in Bali and Java. The premise of the ritual lies in the popular mythology of Barong and Rangda, which symbolises the fight between good and evil. Rangda was possibly based on an 11^th Century Balinese queen who was ousted by her own husband for her devotion to the cult of Durga. The story has it that the angry queen wreaked havoc in the kingdom with her witchcraft. Barong, a panther-like spirit, was summoned to offer magical protection. When the warriors were dispatched to capture Rangda, she turned them mad and they began to stab themselves with their own weapons. With the help of Barong who possessed their bodies, the warriors became invincible. Their weapons failed to penetrate them. Rangda was eventually defeated by Barong. The fighting scene involving the witches in Scissors in the fold is inspired by this myth.