Upah Upah Tondi - Bataknesse Traditional Rituals To Pick Up Spirits

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Hello everyone.
Some time ago, my husband's family held a prayer together with giving alms. We went to the village for 7 hours by car. At first my husband and I planned not to go because there was a lot of work that we couldn't leave behind, but our parents forced us to come along. In the end, we couldn't refuse and attended the event.

Arriving at the village, we rested for one night. In the morning he came to help cook to make food as alms. The prayer program will be held in the evening after the sunset prayer, then will continue to eat together after that only pray led by local religious leaders.

The family is planning to invite residents of one village to pray together, we are very grateful that many people came to attend this prayer together. The reason why we pray together is as a form of our gratitude because we can still be given health and safety until now, and also pray for family members who have died. Because in the past year, there have been many unexpected and expected events, so there is a spirit that must be picked up because they have gone through these bad things.

However, which was very unexpected, my husband and I were very surprised by a traditional ritual which for both of us was very touching. This custom is usually referred to as UPAH-UPAH TONDI which means prayers for as a form of effort to pick up TONDI. The meaning of TONDI in the Batak language is Spirit for those who are sick or previously experienced distress/accident.

Almost 6 years of marriage and experiencing 2 miscarriages in each pregnancy, made our family members feel that we must be paid for to get safety and new hope and success in having children. All family members starting from the eldest and the parents joined in praying. This event was solemn and filled with great hope, that God would grant all prayers that were said.

The wages are made with various traditions such as preparing the food served, one of which is making food from carp and free-range chicken which is believed to be food that brings enthusiasm and luck. The food will later be fed to the intended recipient, this is intended as a sign of encouragement and support. This custom also means that all the families who attend the event have a close relationship and support each other.

For me, this is a new thing because I have a different ethnicity from my husband. To be honest, I was very surprised and happy because I was fully supported by many families, especially my husband's family. So much love for them that makes me have to be more enthusiastic to have children and give the best. Having children in the future, maybe it's God's business, fighting for them is the business of us asking, so if the prayer is granted it is a fortune to be grateful for.

Tondi's wages will be a bright spot for me and my husband to unite and fight, a gratitude that cannot be put into words, hopefully it will turn out to be a good thing for those who pray.

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See you the next time hive friends!

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Editing by Lightroom and VN iphone 11

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