On a sunny morning in a small fishing village near the famous Tanah Lot Temple in Bali, Indonesia, a familiar sound can be heard through the streets – the sound of screaming. It is the sound of young people undergoing the ‘upacara potong gigit’, or the tooth-file ceremony, a Balinese Hindu tradition that is part of the pre-wedding ritual.

In Balinese Hinduism, it is customary for a young person to undergo the tooth-file ceremony before their wedding, where their front teeth are neatly filed to a length. This custom is believed to make people look less like demons, as uneven teeth, especially protruding fangs, are seen as a sign of evil. It is a painful procedure, and the screams of those being filed can be heard for miles.

Despite the pain, many Balinese find pride in the tooth-file ceremony. It is a gesture of unity with family and community, and a way of showing respect for tradition. But it is not without its cost: the procedure is painful, and there are risks involved. It is not only a physical challenge, but a mental one as well, as the individual must face their fear and come out the other side with a sense of pride.

The tooth-file ceremony is an age-old ritual that is deeply enmeshed in Balinese Hinduism and culture. It is a reminder of the price of satisfying the family and community, and of the strength of spirit it takes to overcome fear and adversity.