Bazaar a la Balinese

Published 5 months, 2 weeks ago in People & Community by Kunta Yuni | 451 Views

As far as we know, in general bazaar is done by selling goods, foods, or sometimes items made by hand. It is normally sold with low price to attract people. Based on the Oxford Dictionary the definition of the word “bazaar” is a sale of goods, often items made by hand, to raise money for a charity or for people who need help. But there is a unique characteristic in bazaar a la Balinese. Before going further I’d like to share my friend’s experience about this kind of bazaar.

He is a Balinese but he was born and grew up in Jakarta. He came back to his home town to study in university. One day his uncle told him that there was bazaar in his banjar (ward) and he was so excited for that. When he got there he was surprised. Do you know why? Well, all the prices are twice more expensive than the normal ones. He was startled because in his thought he is going to buy food or goods in low price like in Jakarta.

In the era of 70s in Sanur, bazaar was held in Galungan only (Christmas a la Balinese ) by the member of the banjar ( hamlet / ward ) in order to give its community a chance to spend their money for snacks since all food stalls were closed during that day. And not all food, drinks or goods were sold in high price; only liquors such as beer, tuak, or arak (Balinese wine) were sold in inflated price to generate some profits and then the profit would be used to repair the banjar or temple on that area. But with the passing of the time there is a different concept arises in carrying out the bazaar.

This was started by the young community in the banjar itself when they need to raise money to support their activities such as to gain fund for the ogoh-ogoh festival or just to do their annual anniversary. They usually sell food and drink to the people by giving invitation card with incription of menus provided in the bazaar. It is common for the other banjar to buy those cards for more than one million as the form of brotherhood among banjars. And the distribution of the card is burdened to the member of the banjar.

So, welcome to the bazaar a la Balinese.

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