Tenganan Pegringsingan village is a famous place as a history civilization museum Bali. Where’s the community obey to the Awig – awig ( Balinese rules ) such as married only with man or woman in their village, no divorce, traditional architecture of house, thatch roof, and soil fence. This village become one of the Bali Tours direction and culture destination since 1980. There is a unique tradition where mans fight using “ Pandanus ” leaves, they called it Mekare-kare. This ritual is presenting to Dewa Indra ( God of War ). They’re believe that long time ago Dewa Indra as delegate of gods success destroy mythical gigantic demon named Mayadenawa. Mekare-kare usually held in Sasih Kelima ( Balinese calendar ), it is around June and July. The participant could be young, old, or children. No preparation for fighting just one thing, courage. Before the fight begins they drink Tuak, Balinese alcohol drink with sweet taste and sour sensation using the banana leaves. This sacred fight use  pandanus, green leaves full of sharp thorns on both side and shield from rattan. No cloths covering the body, they only using sarong. Body injuries but no anger no grudge its part of holy ritual. The Balinese medicine made from turmeric, galangal and vinegar to treat the wounds. After the fighting they sit down together enjoy Balinese food and drink as symbol of togetherness and chumminess or called ” Megibung “.

Look above you as you walk through sanur in the late afternoon, and you‘ll see what appears to be a flock of huge, colorful bird hover -ing in the wide sky. These are in fact the fruits of the neighborhood’s favorite pas time: kite flying. But the flying is only a small part of the fun. Much more goes into this traditional sport than meets the eye.

The kite starts out in the imagination of young girls and boys, who come up with inventive designs to try out over the fields. The simple are geometric- squares, triangles, cylinder, and boxes that are easily lifted by the slightest breeze and are flown by the youngest of toddlers. Favored shapes are modeled after the island’s main winged creatures: birds, bats, and butterflies. Other popular motif includes dragons, lizard, fish, and turtles. The kites are sewn by hand with any suitable fabrics the maker can find. The insides are created out of light wood or stick, gen-fly curved beneath the materials to catch the wind at the best angle. Simpler shapes are cut from old clothing; professional kites are made out of store-bought parachuting materials. You also see larges sheets of plastic creatively welded into flags, faces, and significant symbols (such as those of popular rock bands). Most animal kites are quite large, 3-6 ft wide, with nylon wings and papier-mâché bodies, downy, dyed feathers and life like glass eyes. The most complicated are competition kites, supported by long bamboo poles bound by thick ropes. Among the world’s largest kites, each can be as big as a house, weigh as much as a small car, and require 20-30 men to carry it.

The kites take only a day to finish before they’re taken to the family shops; some craftsman can make as many as three in a day if they hurry. Those you see in the air every day, made by the children who fly them, are usually of a lesser quality than the competition kites-and yet they soar just as high. You’ll be amazed at how they can pull nearly anything into the air, from miniature boxes to flags 12-ft high. Informal competition take places on holiday and weekend, with prizes for those who can get the largest and the most creative shapes into the air. The crown-ing contest in the bali kites festival, held over a weekend in July, which draws crowd of thousands to see which kites is champion of the skies. Villages can take month to create their entries, enlisting the help of every man and boy available. When finished, a kite is christened in a flurry of ceremonies, parades, and offerings. During the festival the beaches and street or sanur are crowded with on lookers and competitors, the latter of whom are often team of men clad in identical uniform-and soccer shoes, to get the best beaches traction when hoisting the huge kites into the air.

If you buy the kites, don’t just cart it home without testing it. Take it right to the beaches, where you’ll get expert flying advice. Particularly in sanur, almost every-one knows how to make and fly kites, so you’ll learn from the best. these unique toys are one of the most special(and fun) souvenir you’ll find on the island and the island, and the experiences of flying one here will give you found-and useful- memory to take home with your kite.

In Bali a lot more than you’d imagine. when you take Bali Tours, When you first arrive, you will probably notice that a surprising number of people you meet a named Wayan, Made, Nyoman or Ketut. This is because all Balinese, regardless of sex, a given one of four names corresponding to them birth order: Wayan or Putu for the firstborn, Kadek or Made for the second, Nyoman, Komang or Koming for the third and Ketut for the fourth. It there are more than four children in a family, the names is repeated. In recent years, however a family planning campaign in Bali has resulted in smaller family, which mane the name Ketut and Nyoman a being use less frequently. Of course, so many people with the same first name can make communicating in group situation pretty complicated. But may Balinese, particularly man, also have a nick name that is used casually by their coworkers and friends. These nick name are usually given by parents during childhood and often refer to something the child resembled: Wayan Godogan ( Frog ), Made Termos ( Thermos ), Wayan Glebet ( Falling ) a few examples.

In addition to the publicly used name, Balinese have a unique private name that is given by a Balian (priest) at the Telu Bulan ritual, accurse three month after birth. Very often this name is unknown even to people who have daily contact with each other. Even if this name is known, it’s usually considered impolite to call someone by it. A farther layer is added because of bali caste system, which adds title that precede full names. Member of the highest caste, the Brahmana (priest), use the title Ida Bagus form Male and Ida Ayu for female. The higher nobility who were formers warrior prince rulers of the island and are now part of the Satria caste, use title such as Tjokorda, Anak Agung and Dewa. The Wesya, members of the formers lower nobility reserved for merchants, use the title Gusti. These three upper castes are collectively known as the Tri Wangsa. All other Balinese or about 90% of the population are part of the caste of farmers and artisans known as Sudra, which translates to “outside the court” ( of course members of this caste aren’t always farmers or artisan these days ).the title use in this caste are I for males and Ni or Luh for females. The caste system was brought to Bali in the 50^th Century by Majapahit rulers, and today all Balinese except the Baliaga, who retain ancient Balinese customs are born in to one the four castes (some Sudras argue that because the system is not indigenous to the island, it should be eliminated). Three different varieties of the balinese language correspond to the caste differences between speakers. High Balinese is use when speaking to superiors ( who use low Balinese to reply). Middle Balinese is the polite form, use to address strangers ; and low Balinese is use when speaking to friend and equals. In order to determine which form of the language to use, some older Balinese will ask a new acquaintance, “where do you sit” ( Nunas antuk linggih ) means what is your caste. Instead of asking for a name.

Topeng in Balinese language mean Mask, Mask Dance is a kind of balinese traditional artistic dance…

Topeng or Mask dance is performed during ritual procession, There are many Kind of mask dance, one of them is Topeng Pajegan, this dance was played by a dancer, he only change the mask according to the character in the story and then Topeng sidakarya is mask dance which only performed in ritual ceremony, the dance played to complete the procession of ceremony, sidakarya mean finish. usually the mask which used is sacred and only use when performed the ritual ceremony.

In Bali, find the Mask is so easy, like in Sukawati art market at gianyar regency near Ubud there are many kind of balinese mask but the mask is not sacred. and many mask carver around UBUD village, you can order the mask what you want… and if you want to learning how to dance Topeng or mask dance there are many art organization called Sanggar Tari and you can learn there. Bali Tours Guide will help you to go to that place.

Topeng is beautiful and artistic sacred dance.

There are are many kinds of temple ceremonies, In Bali

The Balinese Temple ceremony is called Odalan, To say the least, its is difficult to imagine any where with more. Regardless of its specific purpose, each odalan is a colorful spectacle designed to please their hindus deities. when odalan the hindus people meke Banten / Gebogan and many kind of balinese give.

A common feature is “muspa”, the basic balinese form of contemplative prayer. this is followed by reception of holy water ( Tirta ) and rice ( Bija ) blessed by Ratu Pedande ( High Priest ). after this important religious ritual finished, the odalan becomes more of a social occasion, whith Balinese dance like, Topeng Dance , Barong Dance, Rejang Dance, Calonarang, Drama, Comedy, Shadow Puppet and more art bali culture.

The People who are born on that day have to make a different cermony. The ceremony is special ceremony and hold a wayang sapuh leger ” Shadow Puppet ” peformance. Acording to Lontar Sapuh Leger and Dewa Kala ( a small vertical book in which the ancient Hindu teaching are written, whitch is made of dried, pressed, and blessed palm leaves ), Wuku Wayang is a sacred period when a Dewa Kala ( Evil in Balinese mythology ) was born. Balinese people belive that the children who was born in Wuku Wayang is a part of Dewa Kala, so the children must purified by the Sapu Leger ceremony and hold te wayang kuli ( Shadow Puppet ) performance.

Tumpek Wayang is a special day for shadow puppet arts. its occurs every 210 days in Balinese Calendar System. Shadow puppet have another name whitch is Sanghyang Ringgit, whitch mean thats the art is grifted by the power og Shangyang Widi (GOD ). Its an integral part of Balinese life. Its performed when people have ceremonies such as purification for children born on Wuku Wayang. So the Shadow Puppet performance in Bali is not only to entertain but also represent a kind of sacred art form.

Buda Kliwon Pegatwakan is The end of Galungan celebration series, this day held on Wednesday is a day of Buda Kliwon Wuku Pahang or Buda Kliwon Pegat Wakan. on this day all of equiptment that was used in Galungan and Kuningan Day will remove and cleaning, likes Penjor, Tamiang. all of that equiptment is offered with small offering and burned. that mean all world equipment is cleaned again. This ritual is held in houses and temples. in order to maintain peace ( Shanti ) for the world.

Kecak Dance is one the best known of many Balinese Dance, Kecak Dance in performance doesn’t use gambelan ( Balinese Music Instrument ) accompaniment. The background music is provided by chanting ‘choirs’ of men ” Cak.. a. Cak..cak..cak ” noise, by Kecak Dancer it self. Kecak Dance was originally part of Shanghyang Trance Dance. And then in 1930s, Modern Kecak Dance, developed in Gianyar Regency exactly in Bona Village. A Modern Kecak Dance was accompany the Ramayana ballet – the Hindus Ramayana tale ( the great Hindu holy book ). Throughout the Kecak Dance Story is surrounding circle of man. all of Kecak Dancer are bare chested, and just wearing sarong around their waists. The Kecak Dance chanting is superbly synchronised with raise their hands in unison, flutter their fingger and lean left and right, all with exciting coordination.

Galungan day is one of balinese sacred day, galungan day held on wednesday of pawukon, the 11th week of balinese calendar or excactly at Buda Kliwon Dunggulan ( the day period on balinese calendar system ). this ceremony is a specialy celebration the victory of Dharma (goodnes) vs Adharma (evil), Balinese hindus people give offering to express their thankfulness to Ida Shang Hyang Widi Wasa ( the amighty God ). Galungan day usualy prepared from 4 day before, first day called Sugian day its mean all people cleaning all of what will they use on galungan day (sugian day have two kind “Sugian Bali an Sugian Kejawen”),and then Penapean day, on this day balinese people make some food called Tape, the next day called Penyajan day, on this day balinese hindus people make many kind of bread and cake to offers on galungan day and then the day before galungan day called Penampahan, all of hindus people in bali will slice/kill pig or chicken, they will make a group and slice one pig for one group (called Mepatung). the pork chop will processed to make Lawar ( pork, spices mix with vegetable ) and satay as a offering ( sesodan ), balines people also make Penjor ( tall arching bamboo alters decorated with palm leaves). and then in Galungan day balinese people will pray in family temple (merajan) first after that they usually go to Khayangan Tiga Temple.

Galungan is very artistic balinese tradition, along of road in bali will decorated by Penjor, in ubud village the children usually dance the barong dance around the village( Ngelawang ). this is very special day. the day after galungan called Manis Galungan.

Ten days after Galungan on Saturday or Saniscara Kliwon wuku Kuningan ( Balinese Calendar System ), Hindus People in Bali also celebrated another sacred day called Kuningan day, which is the series of Galungan Day. The day before kuningan also called Penampahan kuningan, the occasion on this day is same like Penampahan Galungan. and the day of Kuningan all Balinese Hindu people also do some occasion likes in Galungan Day. People believe that during Kuningan Day, Dewa and Pitara (the amighty God) again bless people, animals, and the natural environment, with ( waranugraha ) award both physically and spiritually.

The end of Galungan celebration series is on Wednesday is a day of Buda Kliwon Wuku Pahang or Buda Kliwon Pegat Wakan. on this day all of equiptment that was used in Galungan and Kuningan Day will remove and cleaning, likes Penjor, Tamiang..etc.

Saraswati day is celebrated every 210 day, exactly on Saniscara ( Saturday ) Umanis Wuku Watugunung based on Balinese Calendar System. On Saraswati Day Offering are placed on books as a symbol of knowledge. Balinese Hindus belief that knowledge is a source to achieve the purpose of life as a human being. Saraswati Day is celebrated to honor God as source of the knowledge which is manifested as Dewi Saraswati ( Goddess Saraswati ).

Dewi Saraswati is depicted as a beautiful girl with four hands holding a, bead chain, two-stringed musical instrument ( Rebab ), palm leaf manuscript (a Balinese traditional book which is the source of Knowledge). Dewi Saraswati is depicted riding on a white swan among water lilies. The Beautiful Dewi Saraswati is a symbol that the knowledge is attractive, The swans symbolised prudence, and the water lilies (Lotus) are symbols of holiness. The water lilies ( Lotus ) flower is the purified for Balinese. The musical instrument symbolized that the knowledge is entertaining, The manuscript is symbol where the place of knowledge, then The chain is a symbol that knowledge is never finish to learn has an everlasting life cycle, there is no beginning and no ending to learn.

Balinese belief that In Saraswati Day we are not permitted to read or write the book, because allof that are offered

Canang Sari is one of Daily Balinese hindus people offerings. Canang Sari is made from young yellow palm leafs, Flowers, and foodstuff an art form assosiated with every ritual in Bali. Balinese believe in the forces of the invisible worlds dictates that offerings be created with a spirit of thankfulness and loving attention to detail. Balinese always offering Canang sari every day, except there are some one death around village. Canang sari offered to say thankfullness to the GOD ( Sang Hyang Widi Wasa ), for what was we get in our life. Canang sari is simplest daily household offering. Canang sari usualy offer in Tempel, Family Temple, Cross Road, House, Sacred Statue, shop or other place that balinese belife sacred. thats all to make the world balance. ( Tri Hita Karana : Parahyangan – Pawongan – Palemahan ), that means God – Human – nature.