Cow drowned into the sea for being impregnated by human

Thu, 10/23/2008 10:59 AM  |  Bali

(JP/Alit Kertaraharja)(JP/Alit Kertaraharja)

Villagers from Julah in Tejakula, Buleleng, tow (see photo) a pregnant cow behind a boat into open sea as part of a local traditional ritual.

The cow, which is five months pregnant, was thrown out to the sea about 3 kilometers from land Monday. The villagers believe the animal was impregnated by a village elder.

During the ritual the man, who was caught red-handed having sexual intercourse with the cow two months ago, joined the boat trip in order to throw away his clothes to to symbolize him discarding his sins.

Julah customary village head Ketut Sidemen said the ritual, called gamya gamana, or freak weeding, and had been conducted there for generations. The decision to perform the ritual was made a local residents meeting.

In line with customary regulations, the perpetrator, identified only as PS, 70, was sanctioned to fund the expensive ceremony, which aimed to cleanse him of any bad influences.

Luh Ketut Suryani, a professor and activist, deplored the sancation against PS.

She said drowning a cow was baseless because sexual intercourse between a human being and am animal could not cause pregnancy due to the different chromosomes and genes of the two.

"The cow is not guilty, why shoud it be drowned? Why don't just use a symbol like what was done by the perpetrator?" she said.

Suryani's said she was concerned dealt with the financial situation of the owner, who lives below the poverty line.

"The cow, which has a high price, had to be thrown away. It will be a pity for the owner, who is already poor and is now forced to lose his priceless belonging." -- JP/Alit Kertaraharja

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It's obvious that the cow was culpable here. I've seen them around...out alone after dark...wearing make up, no headscarf etc. Probably sporting one of those cute...sorry, outrageously tempting bikinis that only tourist cows are allowed to wear.
The old man didn't stand a chance... it was a noble gesture of him to divest himself of his clothes and sponsor the execution, thereby absolving himself of any guilt....which he didn't have of course. The next time such a thing happens...for it is a ritual isn't it?....then stoning would be a more appropriate punishment for any cow that cannot provide four reliable (male) witnesses.

The cow was impregnated 2 months ago but 5 months pregnant. Someone has to explain the relation between the 2 elements.
May be we should propose a vote for crimes against animals.

what's more worrying is '...as part of a local traditional ritual...'

is bestiality so common and of such longevity that it has a name, and a purification rite?

'....Julah customary village head Ketut Sidemen said the ritual, called gamya gamana, or freak weeding, and had been conducted there for generations....'

i'm not quite sure how to interpret it......are the local women so unatractive, are the men so ugly they can't get a woman, or are the cows drop dead gorgeous?

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