Pasemaya a Hinduism-inspired Cultural Event

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This is the way how the students of the Faculty of Dharma Acharya of the State Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN) of Denpasar preserve the culture of Bali. Various types of competitions are held by involving younger generation ranging from the elementary, junior high, high school/vocational school to college students. “The competition is an effort to encourage young generation to remember and learn about the culture of Bali as the Balinese character from the past,” said Dr. I Nyoman Linggih, the Dean of the FDA amid the competition, Sunday (Apr. 12).

Chairman of the Committee, I Wayan Erik Indrawan, said the contest lasting for three days presented the exhibition, art, religion and culture (Pasemaya). “As the student organization (Orkesmas), we are very concerned with Balinese culture so that we organize the event annually coupled with the anniversary of the Faculty of Dharma Acharya,” he explained.
The Pasemaya is held for three days namely on April 10-12. For this year, the competition includes the religious pop songwriting, ngelawar (Balinese delicacy preparation), mereraosan (proposing a girl), Balinese theater, short story writing and Balinese script writing on paper for elementary and junior high school across Bali. There are also Hinduism Olympic, Balinese storytelling and Balinese script writing on palm leaf for high school students. On the peak of the event was held the selection of the Dharma Acharya Faculty Students Beauty pageant.www.bali-travelnews.com

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Neka Art Museum

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A Collection of 300 Keris Daggers starts from a Belief

Have you ever been to Neka Art Museum? The museum is located in the tourist area of Ubud. The museum having become a tourist attraction draws many travelers. It was established in 1978 and inaugurated by the Minister of Education and Culture Daoed Joesoef on July 7, 1982. In the jubilee of the Neka Art Museum (July 7, 2007), the museum belonging to Pande Wayan Neka Suteja is equipped with the collection of kris dagger.
It is said the concept of adding the kris dagger was inspired by the conviction of Pande Wayan Suteja Neka as the founder and director. When his wife Ni Gusti Made Srimin was sick, he had to struggle to make her recover. Therefore, he had to treat her to Singapore. Other than being tough, he was also very confident that his wife would certainly recover. Indeed because of his optimism, Ni Gusti Made Srimin finally recovered.
Seeing the endless struggles and prayers of her husband, Ni Gusti Made Srimin then paid tribute to her husband as an expression of gratitude. The award was in the form of moral support to make anything related to the Neka Art Museum. “Due to similar conviction, I also ask to be given the opportunity to collect kris dagger,” said Pande Wayan Suteja Neka.
Expansion to keris collection of the Neka Art Museum was officially opened by Jero Wacik, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia  (July 22, 2007). The launch was also done by Prof. Dr. Tommy Koh, Chairman of the National Heritage Board and Ambassador - At - Large in the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, Singapore. It was enabled because Suteja Neka is the Member of the Singapore Art Museum Board.
The Neka Art Museum displaying approximately 300 pieces of kris dagger including 27 pieces of heirloom kris, 100 old blades made by kris makers in the past (tangguh tua) and the remaining recent collection made by outstanding kris makers (tangguh Kamardikan). As a collector of kris dagger, Suteja Neka does not feel competent enough to reveal the existence of each kris dagger. “I feel the presence of vibration and intensity of the kris daggers,” he said.
According to this achiever of the Keris for the World and SNKI Award, in essence, there are two important reasons becoming the concept in developing the kris. They include the intention to spread information about the kris dagger as an artwork of Indonesian heritage having high value in line with the launch of the Indonesian kris as a Masterpieces of Humanity Heritage belonging to the whole nation in the world by the UNESCO on November 25, 2005.
In addition, the ancestor of Suteja Neka, namely Pande Pan Nedeng, was a kris maker during the period of Peliatan Kingdom, Gianyar. At that time, Nedeng was instructed by the third king I Dewa Agung Djelantik (1823-1845) to continue the making of kris and resume it to his offspring.www.bali-travelnews.com

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Yeh Kutikan Beach at Tanah Lot

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If you have more time in Tanah Lot, you must try to walk along in surrounding Tanah Lot area. You will find another beach beside Tanah Lot area that haved ever seen before. That is located in the west side of Batu Mejan beach, exactly close with Surya Mandala Cultural Park Tanah Lot. The beach named "Yeh Kutikan" beach which include to Tanah Lot area. This beach truly never visited by visitor before, not like Tanah Lot. Because of the location is not easy to reach. But you must try to visit this beach because this beach also unique too.
On this beach there is waterfall too. The water coming from the river which exist above it. Above there is rice field carpet with green color if there is springtime season and with yellow color if there is crop season. Also, that place used for some event which performed in Tanah Lot area like last year such as kites festival on year 2006 and 2007. Because that venue very compatible and supporting to perform every event like kites festival. Even, this venue known as wide venue to performs kites festival in Bali.

Known for sunbathing and surfing, Yeh Kutikan is for those looking for a quiet beach where the life is easy and relaxing. Traditional Balinese fishermen here still use the beach and sea for livinghood, it offers a unique view to behold. Yeh Kutikan offers the visitors a double magnificent scene to see, a beautiful beach in front of you and mesmerizing rice fields complete with their wildlife – thousands of birds and butterflies are right behind you.
If day before evening, this place also very suitable for watching sunset besides from enjung galuh area, batubolong area, and sunset terrace. From this place you can direct to watching sunset while enjoying the panorama of blue oceans. Also if you dont want to very close with coastal edge, you can try to having relax at Surya Mandala Cultural Park (open stage) or wasting evening time in Melasti Cafe Tanah Lot until sunset happen while having dinner or just enjoying a cup of tea.www.bali-travelnews.com

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Keris as the Symbol of Life

Although today is no longer the royal era, many people still collect kris dagger. Its function is clear and no longer as it used to. It is no longer a symbol of social status or weapon to defend one’s self or fight in the war, but tends to become a symbol of cultural property, religion or may become an investment. It is not surprising if the prominence of dagger is now rising. It is certainly encouraging. After all, a kris dagger is a symbol of cultural life of the community of our ancestors. It may not be forgotten, but should be preserved.
Related to this issue, the government of Denpasar holds an event entitled Petinget Rahina Tumpek Landep enlivened with a carnival and exhibition of kris dagger every Tumpek Landep. This event results in a concept or appeal known as ‘one family one kris dagger.’ Each household is suggested to collect a kris dagger because the representation of kris dagger must be revived continuously in the global era.
On that account, the Bali Travel News bi-weekly tabloid, a member of the Bali Post Media Group holds an exhibition and exchange of kris dagger and gemstones for three days (April 1-3) at Wantilan Hall of BaliTV at Jalan Kebo Iwa 63 A Denpasar. The kris dagger and gemstone exchange is in a series with the Tri Hita Karana (THK) Nugraha 2015.
One of the kris dagger makers, Pande Wayan Suteja Neka, said that kris is a symbol of life. Keris symbolizes male-female, father-mother, sky-earth and phallus-yoni. Phallus, sky and male as the symbols of father is represented by the kris dagger, while the female, earth and yoni symbolizes a woman (mother) represented by the sheath itself.
If the kris dagger has been put into the sheath, it will result in harmonious, balanced and lucky nature as well as avoid from danger. Worldly heaven will be created at the same time. Typically, the encounter between the sky and earth occurs during rainy season. Sky (father) making the rain causes the water fall to earth (ground) causing plants and vegetation to flourish. “When the soil is fertile, the plant proliferates, it is a grace,” he said.
In the belief of Hindu community in Bali, when people get married and make a house, they surely wear a kris dagger. Bridegroom always carries a kris dagger used to stab a mat held by the bride. Sticking the kris dagger into the woman’s mat will get harmony. Kris is also a means to make a home base. Kris with the branch of erythrina and kwangen (conical offerings) is plugged into the earth for three times to result in harmonious encounter. The ceremony is called nuur ibu pertiwi in order to find safety and balance that creates harmony.
Suteja Neka said that our kris dagger must merge with us because it is a reflection of an era with a specific purpose and causality. The word keris or kris is derived from Balinese word keker meaning ‘a command’ or kekeran meaning ‘protector’ and the ris or aris meaning ‘wisdom’ or ‘balance.’ This has strong relationship to one’s psychiatry and ancestor. The more experience, the deeper the history to be discovered because the kris has symbolical and philosophical meaning.
Kris is also serves as protector to keep the house. Therefore, many kris daggers are made sacred, dipasupati (spiritually animated) and always given the offerings. They are even enthroned in a pelangkiran (wooden offering platform), family shrine and taksu shrine. “From the beginning, the kris daggers are made sacred because the material of iron is believed to be the abode of Lord Vishnu, red steel (Lord Brahma) and pure nickel (Lord Shiva) as the basis of Tri Murti,” he explained.
Kris is believed as the symbol of life because in the making of the kris is begun to be forged, filed, folded and beaten into a sharp and meaningful object. “Just like attending school, we are taught by teacher, when making mistakes we are tweaked and trained again and again to make us understand about particular subject. After being accomplished, the kris dagger becomes precious object,” he added.
Actually the kris is not magic. And it will become magic when it is made a ceremony and animated (pasupati). Most importantly, we believe that the dagger has a power. Kris functions as a weapon to defend one’s self, complete ceremonies and beautify the interiors as ornament. Pajenengan kris is the one especially made sacred. “I believe there are other forces in the dagger,” he said.
Broadly speaking there are three kinds of understanding on the kris dagger, namely the verbal, faith and intellectual understanding. Then, the United Nations declared that kris dagger belongs to Indonesia as seen from seven aspects, namely the oral, design, iron, steel, workmanship, motif (either abstract or figurative streaks on the kris blade as the result of a material blend forged repeatedly) and balance. Besides, it also has eight intangible criteria namely related to the history, art, social, symbolism, technology, tradition, philosophy and mysticism. Most people consider that kris dagger has magical power.
Kris has various designs such as straight, horizontal, leaning to the side and inward curvature. “Historically, Balinese kris dagger is part of the legacy of the Majapahit Kingdom. Philosophically, Balinese kris is seen as a symbol of the life teachings for Balinese people,” he explained.www.bali-travelnews.com

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Boreh, a Balinese Herbal Scrub

Boreh is a kind of Balinese herbal scrub known to the people of Bali and poses a heritage from ancient times. It is often made for scrubs that is applied on certain parts of the body and then let it dry. After that, the drying layer is cleansed.
Boreh consists of various types and is usually made for the sick. For instance, toddlers getting colds and flu especially in rural areas will be prepared a scrub by their mother. It is prepared from some ingredients such as rice, aromatic ginger and salt. As preparation, some people will grind it, while others may chew. Next, it is smeared on the legs, back and sometimes affixed above the head of the toddler. This kind of boreh can also be made from some herbs and spices such as cloves, cardamom, massoia etc.www.bali-travelnews.com

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Batara Turun Kabeh Ceremony at Besakih

At the peak of the Ida Batara Turun Kabeh or congregation of the god ceremony, Friday (Apr. 3) at the Penataran Agung of Besakih, Karangasem, abundant pilgrims flocked to say prayers. From the morning before the peak, pilgrims already worshipped alternately led by local priest. Meanwhile, the peak of the ngusaba kadasa was officiated over by eight higher priests. Six of them say prayers at elephant pavilion accompanied by the coordinator Ida Dalem Semaraputra and two others at paselang pavilion.
Other than Tri Sandya, the prayers last Monday was also worshipping for 11 times led by eight higher prayers and coordinated by I Gusti Mangku Jana. The peak of the ceremony was also accompanied with selonding gamelan music and Rejang Dewa sacred dance presented by devotional dancers from the IHDN Denpasar. In addition, the peak of the ceremony took place more solemnly and accompanied by gamelan music, puppet show, Baris dance and Sidakarya mask.
Meanwhile, one of the committees, Jero Mangku Suyasa, conveyed that Ida Batara Turun Kabeh procession of this year is not much different from the previous year. Many deities come down to earth. They abide in the meeting hall and witness the worship after the peak last Friday until next 21 days and the sanctified effigies of the deities will be put into respective shrine on Friday afternoon (Apr. 24). During the 21 days, pilgrims get a chance to say prayers in order to apologize for a mistake having been made as well invoke salvation and grace.http://bali-travelnews.com/

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      Tunjung Sari Spa Traditional massage
A shooting tension relieving treatment which uses combination of pressured muscle manipulation in warm sweeping strokes to the entire body,this treatment uses the traditional oil.

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Ratu Subandar Temple at Besakih

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The Ratu Subandar Temple at Besakih, Karangasem, is located at the upper three stairs from the Penataran Agung Besakih. Local temple priests Mangku Cik, Gusti Mangku Suputra and Jero Mangku Ugu met on the sidelines of serving the pilgrims not long ago. They said that 99 percent of the pilgrims worshipping at the temple were businessmen or traders. Mangku Cik conveyed that the Ratu Subandar Temple had the same function as Melanting Temple. The latter temple of swagina or profession is located above the market. Especially at Besakih, there was also the Ratu Subandar Temple.
Essentially, there are two shrines at this temple. One shrine is located on the left namely the Ratu Ulang Alu. The deity abiding and adored at the shrine is illuminating the pengalu or peddlers. To the right side of this shrine is the shrine of Ratu Ayu Subandar. She is adored by entrepreneurs or traders. Both shrines apply the Balinese architectural style. However, the hallmark of Chinese culture or influence is very dominant in which the accessories and fabrics of the shrines are all in red showing typical Chinese attibutes. Similarly, each corner is also embellished with red lantern ornaments.
The local temple priests are not certain about the history of the Ratu Subandar Temple in the upper eastern part of the Penataran Agung. This temple is located above the northern corner of Penataran Agung. It shows the Chinese influence brought by traders or merchants (Subandar) since the seventh century in the Srivijaya era and which continued through to the Majapahit era. It is estimated that the Chinese traders have influenced Balinese culture and economy since ancient times, where many interactions occurred between the local community and Chinese merchants, which is why both these communities worship Ida Ratu Ayu Subandar at Besakih Temple. Mangku Cik said the piodalan or temple anniversary of this temple fell on Galungan, Buda Kliwon Dungulan.http://bali-travelnews.com

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Pura Dalem Balingkang

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Showing Chinese Influence in Bali

Pura Dalem Balingkang yang terletak di sebelah Utara Gunung Batur ini, erat kaitanya dengan raja-raja di Bali jaman dahulu, dan terjadi akulturasi agama Hindu dan Buda yang berasal dari Negeri Tionghoa. Pura Dalem Balingkang berlokasi di Desa Pinggan, Kintamani, Bangli. Dibangun pada abad ke-11 oleh raja Sri Jaya Pangus Harkajalancana, dalam pemerintahannya beliau didampingi oleh permaisuri utama yaitu Sri Parameswari Induja Ketana, beliau adalah putri utama yang berasal dari Danau Batur.
Dalam masa pemerintahanya raja Sri Jaya Pangus menikahi seorang wanita cina yang bernama Kang Cing Wei yang bergelar Putri Ayu Subandar. Karena perbedaan agama pernikahan itupun ditentang oleh banyak kalangan termasuk penasehat raja yaitu Mpu Siwa Gandhu yang merupakan Bhagawanta di kerajaan. Karena suatu musibah istana Sri Jaya Pangus hancur porak poranda dan putri Kang Cing Wei ikut meninggal dalam bencana tersebut.
Nama Dalem Balingkang, berasal dari kata Dalem yaitu kata tempat Kuta Dalem Jong Les dan Balingkang dari asal kata Bali yang artinya raja yang menguasai jagat Bali, Ing artinya permaisuri, Kang berasal dari nama Putri Kang Cing Wie. Karena kecintaan raja dengan putri sehingga pasca wafatnya putri dibangun pura ini, dan keberadaan pelinggih Putri Ayu Subandar yang didominasi warna mencolok merah dan kuning, yang merupakan dominasi warna bangunan wihara.http://bali-travelnews.com

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Painting along 1 km, 500 to 1,000 local painters engaged

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Canvas along one kilometer will be spread in the area of Kebo Iwa Stadium to the area of Car Free Day, Gianyar Urban Park. The canvas will invite about 500 to 1,000 local painters to brush their colors on white canvas. It was revealed when some senior painters of Gianyar such as Ketut Budiana, Made Kedol Subrata, Tjokorda Gde Raka, Wayan Karja, I Made Supena, I Made Mertanadi and Pande Ketut Bawa gathered and discussed to enliven the anniversary of Gianyar town next April 2015.
The painting demo along 1 km would involve a number of potential painters of Gianyar and those having got their fame. All the participants were expected from junior high, high and vocational school students, alumni of the fine art vocational school, self-taught painters, painting studio and the disabled persons. The elements of the subdistrict Advisory Council & Development of Culture (Listibya) would also be involved to hunt painters in their respective region. “Participants of the junior high school are those having outstanding achievement, at least as champion in the subdistrict level,” said Committee Chairman, Nyoman Arjawa.
The paintings that would adorn the canvas would not be contested. If there would be no change, the painting demo would take place at Kebo Iwa Stadium Gianyar and surrounding areas coinciding with the Car Free Day, Sunday (Apr 12). “It is just the initial preparation, we’ll finalize it again in subsequent meetings,” said this former member of the Gianyar House.
Meanwhile, the Head of Gianyar Culture Agency, IGN Wijana, said the painting along 1 km was the idea of Gianyar regent aiming to raise the potential of Gianyar as the warehouse of the arts and empower the potential and senior painters. “This activity is not a show-off but rather aiming to provide space for painters to express their inspirations so that their works will be better known,” said Ngurah Wijana.
Similar expectation was also delivered by Made Kedol Subrata. The works to be produced later would reflect Gianyar as the town becoming the warehouse of the arts. “The works of the art come down from the heart. Thus, this event is not only a ceremonial one but actually produces the works with taksu (divine vibration) and it can be proud of,” he said. (dar)http://bali-travelnews.com

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Ngebek Widhi at Penataran Pucak Mangu

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Invoking Fertility and Increasing Crops  

As an expression of devotion and gratitude to God who has been bestowed welfare for universe, especially the fertility of plants at subak area, people organized a ceremony known as ngebek widhi at Penataran Pucak Mangu Temple, Tinggan village, Petang subdistrict, Tuesday (Feb 3). This ceremony was regularly held once a year coinciding with full moon in February. Other than attended by pilgrims from local village, it was also attended by Deputy Regent of Badung, I Made Sudiana, with Regional Secretary of Badung government, Kompyang R. Swandika and others.
According to Jero Gede Mangku Penataran Puncak Mangu, the meaning of the ngebek widhi temple anniversary was highly related to subak organization chiefly the subak abian or plantation. The ritual was intended that all plants could grow well and fecundly and give maximum yields to farmers. In addition, it was also an expression of gratitude for the grace bestowed upon all creatures..bali-travelnews.com

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Tihingan Village in Klungkung, the Center of Gamelan Craft in Bali

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Tihingan village is one of the villages in Banjarangkan subdistrict, Klungkung being renowned as the central producer of traditional gamelan musical instrument. On that account, the buyer or gamelan players from various regions in Bali, even outside the region, often come to this central producer of gamelan in Bali.
Chief of Tihingan customary village, I Made Soma Wandita, said the village was inhabited by 174 households with a population of 832 people. Of that number, about 90 percent was gamelan craftsman. The rest had profession as farmer, trader, carpenter, civil servant and police. Therefore, the majority of people chose to work at their home village rather than outside the area.
The profession of making gamelan instrument is carried out through generations. In general there are two groups of gamelan artisan, namely the group in charge of making and forming various kinds of gamelan instruments and those being competent in calibrating the gamelan tones.http://bali-travelnews.com

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The Distinctive Okokan and Tektekan Arts of Tabanan

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Tektekan and Okokan are two agrarian rooted, traditional styles of music, unique to Tabanan AKA the rice granary of Bali. Simple wood and bamboo instruments are used to create this music, which is still preserved as a living tradition and often performed for local and foreign travelers.
Okokan refers to a big cowbell made of perforated wood resembling a split drum that is struck with a palit or beater. Okotan performances include a musical instrument made of a used hoe that can generate a “teng-teng” sound when struck, as well as a kulkul or bamboo split drum used to repel birds. Played together these instruments create distinctive rhythms, known as Okatan.
The musicians who play Okonan traditional music are all farmers. Okokan born out of an agrarian tradition and preserved for generations is part of traditional peasant life -a way to kill time while waiting for the harvest season. In the past, elders made quite large Okokan instruments that were played to ward off plagues and pestilence. According to local beliefs, attacks of plague are caused by spirits that need to be driven away with a ngerebeg ritual in which this music is played.
Nevertheless, this music is also often featured in the parades of the Bali Arts Festival (BAF) and various festivals in tourist areas such as Nusa Dua, Sanur, Bedugul and others in Bali. Villages that are famous for their Okokan art include Baturiti in Kerambitan subdistrict and Mayungan, Bedugul in Baturiti subdistrict, Tabanan.

An Okokan orchestra usually consists of 30 pieces, 1 drum and 1 kajar. The number of people playing depends on the number of instruments. The Okotan songs that are played the most often sound a bit like Baleganjur gamelan music. Okokan music is also played with other Balinese gamelan instruments to make it sound more beautiful and to generate unique sounds such as those generated by the gong, drum, tawa-tawa and others.
Tektekan music was spontaneously created with the specific aim of expelling plagues and is usually played by 30- 40 farmers, who tap bamboo instruments. Etymologically, the word Tektekan is derived from the onomatopoeia of the “tek” sound emitted from striking bamboo. Because the bamboo is struck repeatedly we have the word “tektek”, coupled with the suffix “an” to denote a noun, giving us “tektekan”.
This art appeared when the villagers of Kerambitan experienced a grubug (plague). There was also one resident who was abducted and hidden by spirits (wong samar), so local people performed a nektek or ‘beating anything that could generate sound’. This nektek was meant to drive out such outbreaks in the community as well as to evoke a sense of embarrassment.
Later, people used a bamboo instrument made for this purpose, called a kulkul, which makes a “tek tek tek” sound. The nektek was carried out at nightfall and meant as an expression of gratitude to God Almighty because the plague had passed. Starting in 1965, the kulkul was incorporated into a kind of performance, which combines the tektekan played to the storyline of Calonarang, maintaining its purpose of expelling evil spirits.http://bali-travelnews.com

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Tumpek Krulut

Valentine’s Day of Balinese Gamelan Arts

Hindu community in Bali will celebrate a sacred festival known as the Tumpek Krulut on Saturday (Jan 31). This holyday is the embodiment of love for the gamelan instrument in Bali. The term Tumpek Krulut is derived from the name of wuku (seven-day week based on Balinese calendar), Krulut or lulut which means intertwinement.
Deputy Dean doubling as lecturer at the State Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN) of Denpasar, Dr. I Made Surada, said that Tumpek Krulut was a holy day for worshiping God in his manifestation as Lord Ishvara. He was the god of the art being identical to sacred sounds, musical instrument that gave rise to a wonderful sense. “Tumpek Krulut is moment to express gratitude to him,” said Surada.
Tumpek Krulut, explained Surada, was interpreted as love because the word lulut itself meant ‘love’ and ‘compassion.’ Tumpek Krulut was celebrated every 210 days on Saniscara Kliwon. “This moment is one of the implementations of Tri Hita Karana involving yajña or sacrifice. Sacrifice is part of a sincere love,” he explained.
Balinese day of love has existed since ancient times. However, many people do not understand if it is a day of love. Typically, the art instrument consecrated belongs to traditional musical instruments such as gong, gender, angklung, flute, xylophone, holy bell, selonding and saron.
In harmony with the development of time, explained the artist of arja operetta from Keramas Gianyar, the musical instrument consecrated varied. Guitar, drums, piano, trumpet and other musical instruments were also consecrated. “This development does not affect the meaning. Precisely it enriches the nuance because both can mutually fill in and develop side by side in the form of a collaborative art,” he said.
In the celebration of the Tumpek Krulut devotees did not worship to musical instruments. But they prayed for them so that they could be useful in human life, both for the owners and the audience. “A traditional artist will invoke divine energy or vibration (taksu) on that day,” he said.
He explained that procession of Tumpek Krulut ritual was based on respective local tradition and situation. It was started with a self-purification better known as suci Laksana and resumed with the arrangement of gamelan instruments. After that, the gamelan instruments were sprinkled with holy water to eliminate impurities.
The offerings applied usually contained rice cone. A grandiose offering usually used bebangkit and should be officiated over by higher priest. Meanwhile, the regular offering consisting of peras, pengambean, ajuman and tipat gong was officiated over by temple priest. “In the celebration, the people are not allowed to play musical instrument carelessly. Moreover, the sacred ones should be played with beautiful tones that can generate langu or enjoyment.www.bali-travelnews.com

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Ngerebeg at Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton Temple

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A Symbol to Release Lust and Express Joy

Other than inhabited by population of monkeys and flying foxes, the Alas Kedaton tourist attraction also has a temple established around the 1800s. It is called the Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton Temple with a variety of uniqueness. One of them is the ngerebeg tradition always organized in the peak of the piodalan or temple anniversary falling on Anggara Kasih Medangsia.
Procession of the temple anniversary at the Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton may not last more than one day. It is a hereditary belief held by the supporting devotees. After the worship activity is ended before the sunset, the ngerebeg activity is commenced. This tradition is highly anticipated by residents, especially children.
Since the afternoon, children have been seen to prepare a means of the ngerebeg in the form of decorated tree twigs. They choose parading twigs because they are unable to bring along lelontek, bandrang, umbrellas and spear while running around the temple. After the barong sanctified effigy is taken out from long pavilion, children who join the ngerebeg tradition started cheering. Once the holy water is sprinkled, dozens of ngerebeg participants directly ran like a bullet whose trigger is pressed. After running around the temple for three times, the ngerebeg tradition comes to an end.
Chief of Kukuh customary village, I Gede Subawa, explained that ngerebeg symbolized the expression of joy because the whole series of ceremonies at the Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton had lasted perfectly. In terms of its meaning, ngerebeg stood for vivacity. Ngerebeg, said Subawa, posed a tradition having been inherited from generation to generation. “Ngerebeg also serves as symbol of lust release and expression of joy upon completion of the entire series of temple anniversary,” said Gede Subawa.
It was said the Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton surrounded by population of grey monkeys and thousands of flying fox had four entrances in the four directions of the compass. Then, worship at the temple was not allowed to use ritual means such as kewangen and incense and installation of penjor was also prohibited. Then, sweeping at the temple courtyard was not allowed to use a broom, but should use tree branches made into a broom.
Besides, the sampian festoon should be made from the leaves of gold banana. The use of red begina cake in the offering was not allowed, either. Another unique characteristic was that the innermost courtyard occurred in the lowest position. At the time of temple anniversary, all the processions including the prayers en masse should be completed before sunset.

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Celukan Bawang favorite port for skippers

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Existence of the freight stevedoring pier at Celukan Bawang Harbor, Gerokgak, becomes a featured icon for the Northern Bali community. As a natural and convenient harbor for skippers, this largest harbor in Buleleng has become favorite sojourn for barges which often transport goods to various towns in Bali.
The Head of Buleleng Development Planning Board (Bappeda), Gede Suyasa, said that designation of Celukan Bawang Harbor was very appropriate for barges and cruise ships to anchor in Bali. It was enabled because the construction of Celukan Bawang Harbor was natural without too big ocean waves. “According to provincial Spatial Plan, it should become the center of all stevedoring activities in Bali. Based on the experience of skippers, Celukan Bawang Harbor is the most convenient harbor for cruise ship to berth. As a natural harbor, the waves are not high and surrounding condition is very good as well,” he said, Monday (Jan 5).
When the freight was unloaded at Celukan Bawang Harbor, the condition of road construction would become a constraint for trucks transporting the freight. “Regent of Buleleng has often delivered the issue to provincial government if the Celukan Bawang Harbor is indeed used as stevedoring harbor it must be focused on stevedoring activity. However, there was complaint of employers where if the freight is unloaded in Buleleng, when it is transported to southern Bali, the road access is even not good as it can kindle congestion at Gitgit,” he said.
Cooperation between Bali and Buleleng government to maximize the role of Celukan Bawang Harbor remained to be done as well as in the matter of road access posing the main supporting infrastructure for smooth distribution of freight. “When freight is just unloaded at the harbor, there should be an access to distribute the freight. Unlike when stevedoring activities are done at Benoa Harbor Denpasar, the access of distribution can be smoother. Thus, the road access becomes a very important part,” said Suyasa.
Meanwhile, according to Dewa Gede Adi Kumarajaya, General Manager of PT Pelindo III of Celukan Bawang Branch, if the Benoa Harbor was merely intended for tourism vessel, the entire container ships would be directed to Celukan Bawang as set forth in the master plan of Celukan Bawang Harbor. “The role of Celukan Bawang Harbor will be developed in the future into a cargo harbor. It will depend on the status of Benoa Harbor whether it has become a special tourism harbor. As a result, cargo ships will certainly be directed to the North,” he said.
Stevedoring activities at Celukan Bawang covered the commodities such as iron, timber and cement, including the locally made cement of Indonesia to Vietnam. Distribution of cement was mostly sent to Denpasar. Furthermore, the Bali provincial government plan related to the development of Soka – Seririt Toll Road as road infrastructure was expected to facilitate the distribution access from North Bali to South Bali. “Hopefully, the distribution of freight in the future can become more fluent,” he added.www.bali-travelnews.com

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Penglipuran Village Festival Presents Typical Culture

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Creative and unique are the first impression can be captured when witnessing the Penglipuran Village Festival (PVF). Diverse cultures and handicrafts graced the second annual event. The PVF was opened by the Assistant to Bangli Regional Secretary in charge of Administration and Public Welfare  Affairs,  I  Wayan  Lawe.
The  event  was  attended  by  officials  of  Bangli, representative of the Indonesian Tour Guides Association (HPI)  of Bali  Chapter,  ASITA and tourism business people. The festival held at Penglipuran customary village, Kubu subdistrict, Bangli, showcased various handicraft products made from bamboo and woven fabrics.
There were also coloring contest, customary fashion show, dance, culinary contest, photography, souvenir manufacture, bondres traditional gag and bamboo music performance. It took place on December 18, 2014 to January1, 2015.Chief  of  Penglipuran  customary  village,  Wayan  Supat,  said  the  PVF aimed to  promote  the Penglipuran customary village to international community.
Besides, the activity also developedthe tourism supporting products such as the typical souvenir of Penglipuran. “The festival also organizes the competition of souvenir-making and exhibits futuristic souvenir,” he said. At the moment, added Supat, the average tourist visits per day to Penglipuran, both of domestic and foreign, reached 125 people.
 With the implementation of Penglipuran Village Festival, his party  expected  the  number  of  tourist  arrival  would  continue  to  rise.  “Our target  after  the Penglipuran Village Festival is the tourist arrival can reach 300 people per day,” he added.
Excellence of the Penglipuran customary village, explained Supat, was the entrance gates of house compound (angkul-angkul)  of the residents  having similar design.  It also remained top reserve traditional house building where the characteristic laid in the use of bamboo material. ” It  seems  incomplete  when  travelers  coming  to  Bali  without  dropping  in  at  Penglipuran customary village,” he said.www.bali-travelnews.com

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In Bangli, Gandrung Dance No Longer Favored

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In the year 1950s, the Gandrung Dance was much loved by rural communities. Even, it became a favorite art for men. Unfortunately, the dance usually performed by female dancers had a chance to experience a bleak period, when the other kinds of art developed. “We have revived this noble art,” said Mrs. Erik Gianyar, the initiator of mass Gandrung Dance performed on Mother’s Day, last week.
In this case, the wife of Bangli Regent Made Gianyar held public figures of Pengotan customary village, where the dance had existed. His party also involved in person the former dancers. “Due to these figures, the Gandrung Dance can be seen again,” she said.
Ketut Suarno, one of the artists from Pengotan village, Bangli, said the Gandrung Dance at Pengotan village had been endangered. The Gandrung Dance art troupe had 2 dancers and 15 gamelan musicians. All the musical instruments were made of bamboo, so that they were very typical. The dance was very familiar to make itinerant performance from village to village.
Gandrung Dance, explained Mrs. Erik Gianyar, was not much different from Joged Bumbung Dance having been very popular in Bali. However, there were several characteristics distinguishing them where the dancers were required to wear polite attires, not to be sexy and deviated from the courtesy of Balinese culture.
The dance style was not much different, just on the pengibing or invited co-dancer was not allowed to make movement getting contact with the dancer. Most importantly, the porn movement was strictly prohibited in the dance. “Get motivated to preserve the wealth of Balinese culture, we try to display the Gandrung Dance en masse,” she explained.
And what made it a unique dance was the payment of the art troupe was not using money, but using rice or the like. Results of the itinerant performance were then divided equally by the members of the art troupe. “In the 1960s, the horrific eruption of Mount Agung had contribution to the fade of Gandrung Dance,” she said.
At that time, explained Suarno, the distance of Pengotan village located on highlands was close to Mount Agung, so the eruption had great impact on people’s life. At that time, the dust and sand from the eruption of Mount Agung covered most of the people’s agricultural lands so that they could not be worked on optimally. “At that time, the people only thought about the urgent needs or groceries because life was very difficult,” he said.
To preserve the Gandrung Dance, the figures of Pengotan village coalesced into the Candra Seka Gandrung Art Troupe attempted to reconstruct the dance. To refine the Gandrung Dance reconstruction, his party also took maestro of Gandrung Dance Men Coblong, 80, and the gamelan music composer Nang Rai and gamelan musician Nang Salin.
As a result, it was quite encouraging where the Gandrung Dance was then frequently staged in various occasions during customary and religious activities at Pengotan village. As the peak of its moment, the Gandrung Dance was staged en masse on the Mother’s Day in Bangli.www.bali-travelnews.com

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Rindik, a Balinese Folk Musical Art

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Rindik is one of the Balinese traditional musical instruments. This musical instrument is very simple, but has a distinctive sound. Rustic, peaceful and prosperous atmosphere is depicted in the tones played. In the wedding reception, thanksgiving and other ceremonial events, rindik can become a choice of entertainment. At hotel lobby, this bamboo music is often played as a welcome music. In the performing session, rindik is usually played by three musicians. A player of lanang (female) instrument plays the selangsih tone and another plays wadon (female) instrument with a plain tone. Then, another plays a flute to give the sweet feel in every gamelan composition.
To play the blades of rindik requires a good concentration because both hands should be able to play the mallet (beater) with different tempo and composition. The beat of left hand sets the tempo, while the right hand plays kotekan in accordance with the rhythm of gamelan composition played. Sometimes it can be fast and tender. Uniform of the players is not too flossy. They usually wear fabric, saput, selempot, clothes and headdress. If the performance is intended for reception or a large ceremonial event, the uniform put on by players usually arranged beautifully like a dancer. A combination of colors and patterns has become a main thing. Sometimes, it is embellished with yellowish golden leaf.
Prof. Dr. I Wayan Dibia said the traditional musical instrument was estimated to origin from pejogedan art emerging in 1940s. Pejodegan art was the development of Joged Pingitan circa 1811. After the independence period, it then developed into Joged Bumbung having full expression and spontaneity. As a popular art, continued Dibia, rindik was very appropriate to be combined with dance movements having the formality space. At the beginning, the Joged Bumbung emerged as a sensual dance, but not erotic. “Well, in the later development Joged Bumbung features erotic motion. As a result, it kindles an unfair judgment,” he said.
According to Dibia, we could not blame them (the joged dancers) alone. “Probably, it indicates if people are in severe stress or it also becomes the people’s demand today,” said the lecturer in the Indonesia Institute of Arts (ISI) Denpasar seriously. Similar opinion was also revealed by I Wayan Wendra. This man having composed dozens of gamelan musical art said the birth of rindik was predicted to come from the tingklik (bamboo blade musical instrument). Tingklik was estimated to have existed since 1930s. “The birth of rindik started when farmers were relaxing while hitting galar (bamboo mat). As sounding fun, they were then given the tone to produce very melodious sounds,” he said.
The tingklik then used intact bamboo stuffed with resonance chamber to produce tender tone. Creativity of the Hindu community in Bali was high and then the rindik was combined with dance, so that it developed into jejogedan accompanying the Joged Bumbung dance. “Almost all the regions in Bali have this art. This musical instrument is very close to the life of farmers in Bali,” he said.To make rindik instrument, added Wendra, people used selected bamboo to generate a nice tone. Other than being dry, the bamboo should also have a matching thickness. “A fanatic rindik player usually makes it from dry bamboo at place, not cleared it first before dried out,” he said.
According to him, every region in Bali has special day to present the offerings for the gamelan instrument. Meanwhile, each craftsman would not have different ability. “People who can make the rindik have strong auditory tone of gamelan,” he said.http://bali-travelnews.com

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Cremation of Tjokorda ‘Sosrobahu’

Height of Bade Tower 24 meters, Paraded by 400 Residents

Cremation ceremony was the last tribute presented by the community of Ubud for the inventor of Sosrobahu technique, Dr. Tjokorda Raka Sukawati, on Anggara (Tuesday) Pahing, Sungsang (Dec 9). Even, the parade of the nine-tiered bade tower from Puri Kantor to Dalem Puri cemetery Ubud took place faster than usual.
The procession of taking out the corpse started around 12:30 a.m., preceded with a tribute memorial by military and police personnel. After that, the corpse was loaded to bade tower as high as 24 meters and then vivaciously paraded by 400 residents of Ubud.
“Previously, the parade of bade tower to cemetery could take 30 minutes, but just now it lasted very quickly, approximately 15 minutes. It happened because the spirit of the whole residents as their sincere tribute to the deceased who had built a good reputation of Ubud and this nation in the eyes of international community,” said Tjokorda Artha Ardana Sukawati at the Dalem Puri cemetery.
Dr. Tjokorda Raka Sukawati, better known as Tjokorda Sosrobahu, is the native to Bali who has a global reputation. The Sosrobahu technology he invented has been used in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and even Singapore. One of the longest flyovers in Metro Manila, namely the Vilamore-Bicutan road section, also applied the invention of Tjokorda Sosrobahu. In the Philippines, the Sosrobahu technology is applied to the 298 overpass beams, while in Kuala Lumpur was applied to 135 beams.www.bali-travelnews.com

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Every full moon in sixth month

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Pengotan youth involved in mass war

Bali has many unique traditions associated with war. All this time, the well-known war tradition is the pandanus war at Tenganan village, Karangasem and tipat-bantal war in Mengwi, Badung. Not many people know if Bangli County precisely Pengotan village also has similar war tradition namely the banana sheath war or perang papah biu.
As the name suggests, the banana sheath war is conducted by means of banana sheath. This war tradition is held en masse by hundreds of youths in the area of Penataran Agung Temple of local village every year around December. It precisely falls on full moon of the sixth month in Balinese calendar.
Before the war procession is done, people will organize a certain ritual at the local temple. The banana sheath war or Baris Babuang Dance will be preceded by senior figure of local village. To enrich the atmosphere, the war will usually be accompanied with gamelan music by local villagers.
War atmosphere will be getting more exciting when hundreds of youth of Pengotan customary village gets their turn to dance. With the command of a senior figure of the village, the banana sheath war begins. In practice, the hundreds of young men will hit one another by means of banana sheath like people in brawl. More uniquely, in this banana sheath war, the participants will not recognize which are friends and foes alike. Even, in spite of hit by banana sheath, the participants will not feel any pain.
Chief of Pengotan customary village, Jro Kopok, said the banana sheath war was one of the rituals having been passed down from generation to generation by residents of Pengotan since hundreds of years ago. It was meant to invoke people’s safety and prosperity. “In addition, it is also intended to strengthen togetherness and kinship among people,” he explained.www.bali-travelnews.com

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