Global warming has been the most popular and the most global problem recently and various ways have been thought, planed and implemented to fight the global warming and in the United Nation Conference For Climate Change in Nusa Dua last week came up with a proposal to adopt Balinese Nyepi (silent day) in which no activity is allowed for 24 hours, no working, no traveling, absence from using electricity, engine and other pollution-generate devices. This proposal seems quite tough to be adopted by the fast-paced developed nation but Nyepi is not the only kind of effort to fight global warming has to offer there are several simpler efforts to preserve the environment and reducing glass-house effect that have been practiced by Balinese for centuries.

Bunut Bolong tree in Denpasar – Gilimanuk road, 86 km from Denpasar, Bali

Balinese have a special ceremony to beg express gratitude to the vegetation and beg for their prosperity to the God so they can always provide their crops for mankind. The ceremony is called Tumpek Wariga or Tumpek Pengatag. Plants are seen as human relatives, as they are also part of God’s family. It is people’s duty to protect plants; moreover Balinese believe that prosperity and comfort will come around whenever the vegetation is protected and conserved.

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Nyoman Karang had two beautiful daughters whom he wanted to marry. The elder, Sokasati, was promised to her cousin Tirta, with whom she was very much in love. But Tirta does not want to marry. He has been studying abroad and acquired all sort of learning. He can read and write, and is expert in lore of propitious days. He has learned to be inwardly pure; he wants to become wizard and help the mankind rather than to marry a wife. Besides if he is learned, he will have no need to seek a wife; she will come to him of herself. His father is hard to convince. He thrashed his unpractical son severely, but at last consented to believe in him if he can explain two magic syllables which rule the world. This is beyond Tirta, so he consented to marry Sokasati.

Now, Basur, a magician who is also related to Nyoman Karang, has set his heart in getting sokasati for his own crazy so Tigaron. Nyoman Karang, though terrified of Basur, refused to give Sokasati away against her will, and Basur, infuriated, tried to stir up his son to fight Tirta, but Tigaron though amorous is disinclined to fight anyone.

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Yet another religious occasion will be celebrated on Saturday 17^th February 2007 in accordance to the Balinese calendar. This day is known as Tumpek Kandang and offerings are made to honour animals, especially cows and pigs, which create a livelihood for ordinary Balinese villagers.

The word tumpek is originally derived from the ancient Javanese dialect and is similar to tempak or Saturday. The term kandang is Balinese and means cage or pen. From a Hindu perspective tumpek is an important day on the Balinese calendar and is believed to have great mystical value. The underlying message of Tumpek Kandang is one of respect. Love and devotion is not just restricted to mankind, but also the environment, animals and all living things.

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