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The 8th Legian Beach Festival (LBF) will be held for four days started on August 28 through 31. The annual event will be carried out on Legian Beach, Kuta. The special feature of the event is Joged Bungbung Dance. The event wants to promote the right Joged Bungbung dance. This is because the dance was known as an erotic dance.
There will be performance on the dance by the art group who won the dance competition in bali. In the performance will be shown the correct Juged Bungbung dance in terms on movement and structures. “Joged Bungbung will become the icon of the event as an effort to revive the good image of the beautiful dance,” said the head of the LBF Committee, Nyoman Sarjana in Selato Pizza on Padma Street, Tuesday, August 19.
He also stated that the dance is actually a friendship dance and it is possible to make the dance as the tools to make friend with other nations. “We can collaborate with the foreigners in the dance. This is one of the reasons why we chose Joged Bungbung as the icon of the event,” Sarjana said.
LBF will be filled with many interesting activities such as for children, there will be painting and drawing, and also dance competition. For surfing lovers, there will be a special session with professional trainers from abroad. Surfing contest and fun bike also will be carried out in the event.
LBF is also aiming to make Legian as the promotion event in Bali because many regencies in Indonesia take part in the event. They will present their own unique culture and nature. “Many stands are built to give the opportunity to many regencies including those in Bali to promote their own uniqueness,” Sarja explained

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Pisang Rai Sela, Delicious Refreshment for Farmers

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Probably you have been familiar to enjoy various typical cakes of Hindu community in Bali, but you must try this snack. Local people call it pisang rai sela. Actually it is almost the same as the jaja pisang rai in common, but the former uses different main ingredient, namely cassava.
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Jaja Klepon as ‘Trade Mark’ of Tanah Lot

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When making a visit to Tanah Lot, travelers will be happy. The attraction situated at Beraban village, Kediri subdistrict, Tabanan does not only offer a beautiful nature or the aura of temple sanctity. More than that, the loveliest tourist attraction becoming a favorite to travelers also offers culinary tourism.
Jaja klepon (ball cake) seems to have become a ‘trade mark’ to Tanah Lot tourist attraction. There is a saying mentioning if Tanah Lot is identical to jaja klepon. Quality of this refreshment is having soft texture. The green color utilizes the extract of suji leaves, while the red one utilizes the ingredient of brown rice. When crushed, it will be easier to be swallowed.
This typical refreshment of Tanah Lot is a very tasty. Middle-aged housewives sell the refreshment at roadside or after the entrance to the center of Tanah Lot Temple (located in the middle of the ocean). They are lining up neatly in the street. Even, some of them can speak foreign language fluently.
The traders of this refreshment usually wear wrapped towel around her head. In addition to functioning as head cover, it also functions as the basis while carrying the basket of their refreshment container. Interestingly, among the traders some of them have been selling for a long time before having children until having grandchildren.
When purchasing, the dark green klepon will be wrapped in banana leaf and topped with grated coconut. To enjoy it, simply put it into the mouth, close the mouth and then chew it so that its sugar sauce will not squirt out. It feels sticky and chewy.
To maintain the distinctiveness of jaja klepon, the management of Tanah Lot tourist attraction once held a festival of jaja klepon. In addition to becoming the advantage of Tanah Lot, it can also serve as souvenir. “Jaja klepon is not only favored by local community, but also by foreign travelers,” said a woman selling the jaja klepon who was ashamed of mentioning her name.

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Legong Buwuk as the Answer of Disaster

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This traditional dance is better known as Legong Buwuk. The look and movement are similar to other Legong Dance. It is one of the classical dances having always been an icon of Balinese dance. The Legong Buwuk was inspired by classical Legong having existed before.
It presents the aesthetic paradox of the original Legong Dance. Generally it puts on neat clothes with sparkling golden head ornament. However, it is unlike the case of Legong Buwuk which only puts on simple costumes. Even, the costumes seem random because the fabric was obsolete. Its head ornament is without gold leaf so that it looks so obsolete.
The birth of this art poses a response to disaster experienced by the family of Mrs. Ni Made Kinten as the leader of Miniarthis Dance Studio, Karangasem. The fire incident had destroyed all the properties including her precious costumes, songket and gringsing fabrics. Kindled by the incident, her son I Gede Gusman Adhi Gunawan then got up and answered the disaster by composing a Legong Dance.
This famous choreographer was then inspired by the fabric remnants left by the fire to compose a dance entitled Legong Buwuk. Creation of the dance also received the support and input from the House of Cultural activists at Penggak Men Mersi whose musical accompaniment was interpreted by I Wayan ‘Pacet’ Sudiarsa. This dance is accompanied by Gong Suling gamelan music displayed at the Open Stage of Ardha Candra, Bali Art Center, recently.
In its performance, it also featured some dance creations such as the Songket Dance, Janger Ngapat Dance and Glow Bali Station Dance. The captivate performance by young artist community of Karangasem was closed with a spectacular fire dance by Adi ‘Siput’ Saputra and friends. (BTN/Suka)

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Bali Bird Park

Beautiful Place Filled with Birds Collection

Traveling to Bali seems more colorful when you are able to see collection of birds from many countries. This fun activity can be enjoyed by the guests in Bali Bird Park located at Singapadu Village, Sukawati Gianyar. The great experience was described by the foreign visitors from Saudi Arabia Hisham and Sukainah. They are very happy to interact and hold the birds in their hand.
Hisham who coming with his wife said, during their stay in Bali, they plan to go to some tourist objects including Bali Bird Park. "We got the information of this object from a friend. Then, we are interested to explore and see this beautiful tourist destination. Our first impression, this object is really attractive. We can enjoy some events offered here. I think this place is great, so we love it," said the tourist. Guyu Guyu Corner is one of interesting area in Bali Bird Park, he stated. "Here, I stopped for awhile to hold the birds and take picture with them. I was so happy having opportunity to get closer with many beautiful birds. We will share this moment to our friends and recommend them to come here," He said excitingly after taking picture with some birds.
While, his wife Sukainah added, they are very impressed, not only because the birds collection but also the atmosphere in the park. "This is the first time we come to Bali and Bali Bird Park as well. Over all are very good and the staffs are friendly.
That is amazing!" She added. (BTN/ocha) 
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Royal Cremation at Ubud Grand Palace

Cremation or ngaben is a common ritual organized by Balinese Hindu community. However, the cremation taking place at Ubud Grand Palace is relatively different. In addition to being unique, the royal cremation performed by the descendants of the royal family draws many local people and foreign travelers. Cremation belongs to Pitri Yajna or a ceremony devoted to ancestral spirits as an obligation to the ancestors of the Hindus. It aims at cleansing the spirit of the deceased person by cremation at cemetery. For a royal family, the cremation generally has the same meaning. The difference only lies in the tradition as referring to the concept of desa (place), kala (time) and patra (situation).
One of the royal families of the Ubud Grand Palace, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, said the royal cremation held at Ubud Palace actually had the same general purpose. “In Hinduism, we know Tri Rna (three debts to be paid) namely the debt to God, debt to ancestors and debt to teacher. Well, the debt to the ancestors must be paid with cremation ceremony as a form of last devotion of a child to his parents,” he explained The man familiarly called Tjok Ace revealed that cremation at Ubud Grand Palace was very complex and took a long time, ranging from the making of Bade tower used to transport the corpse and sarcophagus such as in the form of bull used to cremate the corpse.
“Royal cremation has a relative time depending on the circumstances, starting from the preparation to the summit of ceremony. By and large, the cremation ceremony held in the palace takes place for a month or more. However, when my mother died, such ceremony took about four months as the implementation depended on auspicious day. So, during which the body was kept at funeral home.

The ceremonial procession in general, explained Tjok Ace, was started with melaspas (purification ceremony to all the elements used in the cremation) and then it was resumed with the procession from Ubud Grand Palace towards the Dalem Puri cemetery. After that, the procession was carrying the ashes into the ocean. The communities involved, explained Tjok Ace, reached hundreds of people. They started from relatives and society from 12 hamlets existing in Ubud. “Actually only four hamlets are directly involved, but some other hamlets have kinship with us and others deliberately volunteer and participate in assisting the cremation activity,” he said.
“We also involve some Brahmin priests belonging to the school of Shiva and Buddha. In addition, there are reporters, photographers and television stations covering our event as a publication to introduce the tradition of cremation in Bali. Royal cremation also has a special attraction for foreign tourists. This makes them come to see and immortalize it,” he said.
To complete the ceremony, the Ubud Grand Palace presented some sacred arts like gambang xylophone, saron, Sidakarya masks and other sacred dances. In addition, they also presented propane arts such as the dances intended for entertainment. People involved in the arts were communities around Ubud as well as those who had ties with royal family. “Not only that, even there are also foreign travelers who participate as they are interested,” he said.
“People with their own awareness lend a hand. So, we always keep this relationship. Our family are very grateful to the people who have worked together sincerely to help the procession of cremation. It is a reflection and manifestation of harmonious relationship,” explained the former Regent of Gianyar. (BTN/ocha)

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Ngambeng Tradition at Bedulu Village, Gianyar

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Bedulu customary village, Blahbatuh, Gianyar, has a unique tradition known as ngambeng. This ngayah or devotional works conducted by a number of children is a part of the procession of the piodalan or anniversary of Samuantiga Temple. By and large, this tradition is done 15 to 8 days before the temple anniversary.
Boys and girls who wear traditional attires divide themselves into a number of groups. After that, they go to each house of residents denoting the supporting devotees of the Samuan Tiga Temple living at five customary villages such as the Bedulu, Wanayu Mas, Tengkulak Kaja and Tengah.
Right at the door of the house compound, they will say ngambeng. So, people then come up with all ceremonial paraphernalia, such as bananas, coconuts, banana leaves, rice, eggs, sugar cane, crops and livestock. In essence, people will donate their property that can be used as a means of the ceremonies. After that, the children collect the paraphernalia and deliver them to ritual committee of Samuan Tiga Temple for the successful execution of the ritual.
Interestingly, the children who come to the house of residents seem to have been directed. Thus, every child and every house they visit, the paraphernalia presented are not the same. It is said, there was an incident when children performing the ngambeng devotional works asked for papaya. However, the resident said no. And in a matter of minutes, the papaya tree tumbled down. Reflecting from the incident, all residents were vivacious to donate their belongings.
Children who carry out the ngambeng do not specify the items sought previously. However, there are forces that spontaneously direct them to say to the residents. If anyone does not provide in accordance with what they request, an unfavorable incident will occur. After performing the ngambeng, the children will ask for lunch. Well, from the amount of the children asking for lunch, it can be known how many children get involved in such tradition on the day.
Chairman of the Supporting Devotees of Samuan Tiga Temple, I Wayan Patera, said the tradition of ngambeng was not known when it first began. However, the children of Bedulu had undertaken the tradition through generations. “Although no one knows for sure where it started, but no one dared to prohibit or negate this ngambeng tradition,” he said.
In the past, added Patera, the ngambeng tradition was once nullified with a number of considerations. As consequence, some untoward incidents occurred. For example, the preparation process of the ritual was interrupted. Although it had been supplied with various ritual paraphernalia, it remained to run short of things. “Based on that experience, we maintain the ngambeng tradition,” he said.
According to him, the ngambeng tradition was a heritage that remained to be preserved until these times by the supporting devotees of Samuan Tiga Temple because it also implied a very noble value. “The ngambeng tradition carried out by the circles of children also serves as a medium of information for residents that piodalan will be carried out as well as a vehicle for children learning at early age, especially in socio-religious life,” he said.
Patera added the ngambeng tradition usually carried out by three to a dozen children were able to build character and mentality of children so as to cooperate and foster a genuine spirit and they were willing to pay devotional works. They did it to gather the materials of piodalan and reminded or informed the supporting devotees that piodalan at Samuantiga had been around the corner.
After the ngambeng or eight days before the piodalan, there was a tradition for people to deliver pawilet in the form of material donation containing money, rice, incense stick, and coffee. The cash donation could reach IDR 50 million from about 2,000 families of the temple supporting devotees. “Well, the ngambeng tradition stimulates residents to raise awareness, then some days later they deliver donate cash,” he said.

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Balinese Souvenir in Tanah Lot Art Market

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Is your day incomplete without a shopping trip? Then Tanah Lot is the vacation spot for you! There are art markets in the area where you can buy just about anything your heart desires, from sarongs to jewelry, furniture to statues, little gift items to new bed frames…there is a Tanah Lot market for everything. Prices are great but if you want to bargain for a better deal go right ahead. And there are some balinese souvenir that provide in Tanah Lot art market

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Getting Interested in Jegog, a Foreign Tourist Joins to Dance

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When Jegog music, a typical traditional gamelan of Jembrana, was played at the Bali Arts Festival (BAF) XXXVI, visitors immediately went to the Ayodya Stage. Just within a few minutes, the stage located in the northeast of the Art Center was instantly fully occupied. More interestingly, foreign travelers sitting on the front row were ready with cameras and camcorders.
It was the turn of Metu Swara Jegog Troupe from Banyu Biru village and Swara Sandhi Jegog Troupe from Perancak village, Negara subdistrict (Jembrana) to make performance on Saturday (Jul 5). The gamelan composition played by natural artists sounded melodious. The tones overlapped and gave cheerfulness as if it invited the audience to rejoice.
Initially, they presented classical gamelan music and Bangun Jembrana creation that purely introduced the beautiful sound of the Jegog gamelan instrument. Later, the collaboration with the artists of dancer indicated if the gamelan estimated to have existed since 1912 was really interesting to be used as dance accompaniment. The dances presented looked innovative in terms of the dance movement or fashion.
This kind of Joged dance received the most response from the audience. It was almost the same as the Joged Bumbung dance involving the audience as pengibing or co-dancer. Its movement was very simple, so that they could be explored by the audience. It was amusing but did not leave the basic norms of Balinese dance. Virtually there was no impression of porn action, so the dancers could draw co-dancer endlessly.
Amidst the thundering sound of the gamelan, a foreign visitor looked to get interested. He was not content just to hear the songs alone. Therefore, he got up and shook hands with the dancer. With a smile, the foreign traveler imitated the movement of the dancer. He seemed so happy while moving his hands, fingers to the body. Besides, his legs also stamped and crossed while sometimes also pivoted.

His movement often followed the rhythm of Jegog that sometimes was strong and weak. Every now and then, he showed off disco-style movement as in his country. As long as the foreign traveler was dancing, he was constantly applauded by the audience. Meanwhile, his companion was busy immortalizing his performance by camcorder.
Jegog gamelan music supposedly created by an artist named Kiyang Geliduh from Sebuah hamlet, Dangin Tukad Aya village, was staged almost every year in the BAF. The gamelan players used two sticks in the play. Other than having larger size, the way to play the gamelan was standing up while beating the bamboo blades of the gamelan.
Especially for the jegog instrument, the gamelan players beat the instrument while squatting and perching on back gamelan frame. (BTN/015)

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