Borrowing Paradise: A Balinese Ritual Story for Children
A Boy,a Bird,and a Journey to Heaven: New Children’s Book Explores Balinese Rituals
ithaca,NY - A vibrant new children’s book,”Borrowing Paradise,” takes young readers on a captivating journey to Bali,Indonesia,exploring the rich cultural traditions surrounding death and rebirth.Written by Cornell University art historian Kaja McGowan and illustrated by her sister, artist Tara McGowan, the book tells the story of Surya, a young boy who plays a central role in the elaborate Hindu funeral rites for his beloved grandfather.
McGowan’s inspiration for the story stems from her own experiences during a Fulbright fellowship in Indonesia in the early 1990s. While researching rituals of life processes with a Balinese high priestess,she was struck by the community’s unique practice of borrowing a single stuffed bird-of-paradise for deceased loved ones.
“Balinese families frequently visited the priestess’s home with offerings, borrowing a single stuffed bird of paradise for their loved ones who had passed away,” McGowan explained. This practice, she learned, not only served as a powerful symbol in their religious beliefs but also played a crucial role in protecting the endangered bird-of-paradise species native to the region.
In “Borrowing Paradise,” Surya helps prepare the elaborate funeral procession for his grandfather, including building a sarcophagus shaped like an elephant-fish and a towering structure that will be carried to the oceanside for cremation. He carries the sacred bird-of-paradise, guiding his grandfather’s soul on its journey to heaven for rebirth.
Through vivid watercolor illustrations and a heartwarming narrative, “Borrowing Paradise” offers young readers a glimpse into a engaging culture and its unique approach to life, death, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
A Boy, a Bird, and a Journey to Heaven: New Children’s Book explores Balinese Rituals
Ithaca, NY – A vibrant new children’s book, “Borrowing Paradise,” takes young readers on a captivating journey to Bali, Indonesia, exploring the rich cultural traditions surrounding death and rebirth. Written by Cornell University art historian Kaja McGowan and illustrated by her sister, artist Tara McGowan, the book tells the story of Surya, a young boy who plays a central role in the elaborate Hindu funeral rites for his beloved grandfather.
McGowan’s inspiration for the story stems from her own experiences during a Fulbright fellowship in Indonesia in the early 1990s. While researching rituals of life processes with a Balinese high priestess, she was struck by the community’s unique practice of borrowing a single stuffed bird-of-paradise for deceased loved ones.
“Balinese families frequently visited the priestess’s home with offerings, borrowing a single stuffed bird of paradise for their loved ones who had passed away,” McGowan explained. This practice, she learned, not only served as a powerful symbol in their religious beliefs but also played a crucial role in protecting the endangered bird-of-paradise species native to the region.
In “Borrowing Paradise,” Surya helps prepare the elaborate funeral procession for his grandfather, including building a sarcophagus shaped like an elephant-fish and a towering structure that will be carried to the oceanside for cremation. he carries the sacred bird-of-paradise,guiding his grandfather’s soul on its journey to heaven for rebirth.
Thru vivid watercolor illustrations and a heartwarming narrative, “Borrowing Paradise” offers young readers a glimpse into an engaging culture and its unique approach to life, death, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
NewsDirectory3.com will be conducting an in-depth interview with Kaja McGowan about “Borrowing paradise” and the Balinese traditions it portrays. Stay tuned for this exclusive feature!