When a grand ceremony such as Ngenteg Lingih (held once every 30 years) or deification of ancestor soul (nyekah) is held both Balinese and visitors will have a chance to see the rare Ketungan and hear its unique rhythmic sound. Ketungan, as a matter of fact is not a musical instrument but a long wooden mortar made of tree trunk complete with some long wooden pestles which is used to thrash the rice in order to detach the grain from the husk. When the rice is thrashed using the mortar, the long trough of the mortar is filled with rice and then the rice is pounded using the tall wooden pestles.

The ketungan is sounded by pounding the wooden pestles continuously into the ketungan. The collision of wooden pestles against the wooden mortar will produce deep continuous sounds which can cover surprisingly long distance. Ketungan is usually sounded by 6 or more women; each of them hold a long wooden pestle and pound the mortar with a specific rhythm. The different rhythms of the pounding will produce a complex interlocking pattern of polyrhythm. Sometimes the outer side of the wooden mortar is also pounded with a wooden hammer or two, adding new rhythms to the complex rhythm of the wooden pestles.

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Villa Aya is a passionate hideaway stretches out along the road leading to the center of Seminyak and the main road to Legian and Kuta. Villa Aya is only around 20 minutes drive from the Bali ’s International Airport. Yet, Villa Aya is just 300 meter away from the Petitenget Beach, and barely 7 km from the exaggerated Kuta center.

Dream and relax while you are basking and dipping in your private pool. Moreover, Villa Aya ’s cooks are awaiting to serve private breakfast in unique outdoors kitchen and living room in each villa. Leave your stress behind; pamper yourself with aromatherapy massage or other selection of body care treatment.

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Summer Institute Bali, Indonesia 2008Three week program: June 30 - July 19, 2008
Application deadline: January 25, 2008 or until enrollment fulfilled
www.cudamani.org

With the success of the 2007 summer program, the internationally acclaimed Çudamani ensemble will once again invite a select group of 35 individuals from around the world to participate in a rigorous study of Balinese Music and Dance in Pengosekan. In addition to intensive classes with master artists/teachers, the program will include: visits to temple ceremonies and sacred sites; observations of a wide range of performances including Çudamani rehearsals; and daily encounters with the local artists and the community. Dates have been selected so that participants will have the opportunity to see ceremonial activities of this village, which is well known for its community of painters, weavers, and musicians. This program is a rare opportunity for participants to be a part of one of the most vibrant and creative cultures in the world.

Fees: 3 weeks for $1,950. Includes instruction, shared housing, breakfast, lunch, and excursions. Non-refundable application fee of $25.

More info at www.cudamani.org Photos of 2007 Summer Institute at http://jorgevismara.net/bali/2007/.

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A glass of coffee (rather than a cup of coffee) is standard welcome drink that you will get when you visiting a typical Balinese family. Presenting a glass of coffee to the visitor especially the male one is a standard gesture of Balinese hospitality and of course visitor rarely has any chance to avoid it. Although you can ask for a glass of tea as substitution but Balinese seldom ask for the substitution since it will put a trouble of preparing a glass of tea for the substitution to the host; Balinese mostly enjoy their inevitable welcome drink.

Balinese style of coffee is what westerner call black coffee and surely not for the faint of heart. Balinese rarely use instant coffee, they prepare their coffee by putting a tablespoon of finely ground roast coffee right into the glass, mix it with a generous amount of sugar and hot water. The result is more of a thick suspension rather than a solution, and is muddy and opaque. It has to be stirred occasionally to keep the coffee powder in suspension lest it will gather in the bottom of the glass creating a muddy black coffee deposit.

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Perched high in the moutains just north of Ubud, Villa Uma offers an unparelled experience in luxury rental accomodation on Bali. Villa Uma breathtaking architecture has combined elements from leading architects and designers.

Enjoy Villa Uma spacious living and dining areas which blend naturally into the lush tropical vegetation and large swimming pool and deck areas. Ideal for intimate dinners or entertaining with friends. Villa Uma two king size master bedrooms with stunning ensuite open air baths are perfect for singles or couples up to four people.

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Saturday (11/23/07), Balinese celebrate Tumpek Landep ceremony. The Tumpek Landep, is a holyday dedicated to the Sanghyang Pasupati, the God of steel implements especially the weapon that has been “pasupati-ed”, or invested with magical power. On this day Balinese show their gratitude to the Sanghyang Pasupati and all the steel implements that make Balinese life easier and safer. Actually, the word ‘landep’ is a the high Balinese dialect means ‘sharp’ and usually associated with weapon. Traditionally, on this day tools and family heirlooms of weaponry, such as sacred swords or keris (double edged dagger with wavy blade), are sanctified. But as the time passed a great change occur in celebration of this holyday.

At first, on this holy day only the weapons that have magical power, especially sacred Kris and spear given a veneration and special offering, early in the morning these weapons are washed with water of yellow coconut (nyuh gading) and dried with a clean new piece of cloth. Then they are wrapped with wastra (a clean holy cloth) and a sasap (a symbolic accessory made of young coconut leaf) are tied on each weapon. After that they are placed in a special place, given a special offering, and sprinkled with holy water and yellow coconut water.

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