Tenganan at Bali

Tenganan Village is one of the oldest Balinese Traditional located in Karangasem Regency, east part of Bali. This village is much referred by cultural literature science of Tenganan Pegringsingan, which is very famous in the island. It own very unique local community life pattern which is one example of Bali Aga Village cultures (Hindu Prehistoric) and different with other countryside in plain of Bali. Nowadays, this village has been appointed as a place for tourist destination which can present the attractive and unique matters which able to add the variation of object and fascination for tourist to come.

History:

Tenganan is one of several ancient villages in Bali, which is usually called "Bali Aga". There are some versions of story telling us the history of Tenganan village. Some say that the word Tenganan was derived from the word "tengah" or "ngatengahang" which means "move to the inner area". This derivation of word was having a relation with the movement of the villagers from the seaside to a rural area, in which the position of this village is in the middle of hills, that are western hill (Bukit Kauh) and eastern hill (Bukit Kangin).

Another version reveals that the people of Tenganan came from Peneges village, located in Gianyar, precisely near Bedahulu. Based on the folklore, once upon a time Bedahulu King lost one of his horses. The people looked for it to the east and the horse was finally found dead by Ki Patih Tunjung Biru, the King's right hand. For his loyalty, the King finally gave Ki Patih Tunjung Biru an authority to govern the land as far as the aroma of the carrion of the horse can be smelled. Ki Patih was an intelligent person, so he cut the carrion into pieces and spread it as far as he could. Thus he received a quite large area.

The word Pegeringsingan was taken from the word "geringsing". Geringsing is a traditional woven product that can only be found in Tenganan. Geringsing is noticed to be sacred for the belief that it has a magical power to drive away the evil or the black magic. Geringsing derived from the word "gering" means decease and "sing" means no.

Livelihood

Generally, villagers Tenganan work as rice farmers, but some are making various crafts. Some crafts typical of Tenganan is woven bamboo, carvings, and paintings on palm leaves that had been burned. In this village visitors can see the buildings of the village and the young craftsmen who draw lontar. Since the first, the village of Tenganan also been known for its expertise in weaving cloth gringsing. How to work this gringsing fabric called double ikat technique. Technique is the only one in Indonesia and the resulting fabric famous special gringsing up to foreign countries. Population Tenganan still use the barter system in their daily lives

Ceremony

Daily life in this village is still governed by customary law, called awig-awig. That law was written in the 11th century and refurbished in 1842. The traditional house was built from a mixture Tenganan red stone, river rock, and soil. While the roof is made from a pile of leaves rumbi. Existing traditional house has a shape and size are relatively similar, with the typical form of the entrance of a width measuring only one adult. Another feature is the top of the door seen together with the roof.
Residents of this village has a unique tradition in recruiting candidates for village leaders, one of them through traditional procession sabatan mesabar-Biu (war banana). Candidates prajuru educated according to local custom village since childhood or gradually and traditions is a sort of psychological tests for candidates for village leaders. On the specified date according to local calendar systems (around July) will be held ngusaba Sambah with a unique tradition of mageret pandan (pandanus war). In the event, two pairs of village youth will fight on stage with each slice using pandanus thorns. Although it will cause injuries, they have antiseptic tubers of material that will spread to all wound up to dry and heal within a few days. The tradition is to continue the war games routine and create conditions for people with physical and mental strength. Tenganan population has been known as the Hindu god Indra flow, which is believed to be the god of war. Community Tenganan teach and uphold the concept of Tri Hita Karana (concept in Hinduism) and make it happen in everyday life. Tri means three and Hita Karana means cause of happiness to achieve balance and harmony. Tri Hita Karana Perahyangan consisting of (a balanced relationship between man and God), Pawongan (harmonious relationship between humans and other humans), and Palemahan (harmonious relationship between humans and the natural environment around it).