The average Balinese will, between birth and adulthood, pass through a whole series of ceremonies that ritually mark, and celebrate, the various stages of human progress.

One of the most elaborate and important is the "matatah" or tooth filing ceremony.

The optimal age range for tooth filing is generally considered to be between 6 and 18 years old - but even the elderly will have it done. 

What's this all about?

To the Balinese the sharp "canine" incisor teeth represent the coarse, animal aspect of human nature. Their word for these teeth - caling - literally translates as "fangs." By filing these sharp, animal teeth down flat the negative passions, which the Balinese call the "six enemies," will be blunted and cooled, leading to a more balanced nature for both the individual and society.

This important ceremony is presided over by a sangging (the same word also refers to "painter" and "artist") and, because of its expense, will often be performed on dozens of young people at the same time.

We asked our guides about their tooth filing, and whether or not it hurt. Yenta grabbed his jaw as if remembering the pain and exclaimed "oh yes, hurt very much!" but Darta said "No, no. It's just symbolic."

One way or another, it's so important to the Balinese that it's not unheard of for a family to have the teeth of a recently departed loved-one filed before burial.