While prohibiting public kissing is being discussed under the controversial anti-pornography bill, youngsters of Sesetan, Denpasar, continue the ancient tradition of mass public kissing and hugging in a ritual known as Omed-omedan.

The annual ritual took place on the day of Ngembak Geni (welcoming the fire), a day after Nyepi, the Hindu day of silence. This year, Omed-omedan fell on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Dozens of youngsters from the banjar (a traditional neighborhood organization) gathered in front of their organization's hall in Jl. Sesetan to prepare for the ritual.

After praying at their temple, they marched onto the street and formed two separate groups. Huddled together, the group of boys faced the girls and anticipation filled the air.

Each group then elected someone to be the first kisser. The others surrounded the two kissers and pushed them together. As the head of the banjar instructed, the two got closer and started kissing and hugging. While the pair were kissing, a banjar official poured water on them.

The water has a symbolic meaning. It is a blessing of fertility but it also has a practical function; it prevents the young pairs from kissing each other for too long.

"This tradition has been going on for a long time," said head of Banjar Kaja I, Wayan Sunarya.

He said the tradition started just for fun to celebrate Hindu New Year.

"An elder from Oka Sesetan temple was once cured of a disease after watching Omed-omedan, so we have continued the tradition," he said.

He said they used to hold Omed-omedan on the same day as Nyepi but decided to shift it to Ngembak Geni (a day after Nyepi) because they did not want to disturb the day of silence.

He said they tried stopping the tradition once but it led to a strange happening in the banjar.

"One year, when we didn't celebrate Omed-omedan, a couple of pigs started fighting in front of the banjar's temple. They continued fighting even though people tried to separate them," he said.

Wayan said after the village elders decided to continue the tradition, the pigs disappeared and were never seen again.

"So we are afraid to discontinue the tradition," he said.

The tradition has a different meaning for the youngsters who participate in the event.

Desi, who has taken part in the event for the last three years, said Omed-omedan was a chance to get close someone she had a crush on.

"Unfortunately, I always get kissed by someone else. I missed my target twice," she said grinning.

Putu Sri, another participant, said she also missed her target. Fortunately, her boyfriend Eka was not jealous.

"I managed to kiss her after she kissed him," said Eka.

After the two-hour event, all the boys and girls rushed back to the banjar's temple, where they held a purification ritual.

Since the tradition is unique to Banjar Kaja of Sesetan village, hundreds of Balinese locals joined the many journalists to watch the youngsters lock lips.

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