R

esidents of Bukti village in Kubutambahan subdistrict, Buleleng, were aghast upon finding out that one of their community members had copulated with a cow. Village elders decided to hold a special meeting to discuss such an act deemed deviant, which is punishable according to local customary law.

"We are deeply concerned by this incident and will organize a paruman adat *village meeting* tonight," Nyoman Suardana, an official at the village, said on Thursday.

Until now, all customary villages or Desa Pekraman in Bali have an autonomous right to punish members who have breached the customary law.

Punishments range from small fines up to social isolation for a certain period of time or, in rare cases, banishment from the village. The punishments are usually discussed and determined at a paruman adat, a large meeting consisting of village elders, temple priests and all adult members of the customary village.

Yet, Suardana refused to disclose any details of the incident, claiming that it had just been reported by the perpetrator himself, and that the village elders needed time to review the report.

"The elders are also considering several options to deal with the incident," he said. Bestiality falls into the gamia gamana section of the local customary law. Gamia gamana loosely translates as acts of forbidden copulation, including copulating with animals.

Besides being considered as unacceptable acts from a social and cultural perspective, copulating with animals, according to the locals, also has spiritual consequences. Such acts desecrate the sanctity of the village's territory and place of worship.

"That's why the punishment for such acts will always include a purification ritual carried out by the perpetrator," Suardana said.

The alleged perpetrator, I Made Widiana, was tense during the interview at his house. His wife, Luh Sari, refused to come out of her room. Widiana admitted that he was embarrassed by the incident. "I am ashamed of what I have done, I feel dirty for copulating with the cow," he said.

He also deeply regretted his action, claiming he was not fully aware of what he did on Tuesday morning.

Widiana then recalled that fateful morning. "I woke up early in the morning to feed the cows," he said, adding that the family had three cows.

He and his wife then returned to their house. Later on, Widiana's parents asked him to fetch young coconut leaves at the family plantation. Widiana claimed it was on his way to the plantation that he was suddenly gripped by a sense of confusion and disorientation.

"Instead of going to the plantation, I went straight to the cows' pen and did that shameful thing with one of the animals," he said.

A passing villager saw the incident and shouted at Widiana. "His strong words awoke me, and suddenly I realized what I had done. I instantly fell to the ground and sobbed."