Peken in Bali (Traditional Market)

Despite the rapid expansion of supermarket and mall, Peken (traditional market) still hold its ground. The peken (traditional market) in Bali can be found in each village especially in rural area. The meaning of the word “peken” is not “market” but equivalent to the words “gather” in English. The Balinese put the emphasis on the gathering side of the market activity. The peken (traditional market) is usually situated in the heart of the village, beside of village temple (usually on the south side of village temple), under the banyan tree or strategic open place. The peken (traditional market) is usually held everyday. Some peken (traditional market) is held on specific day, called “pasaran”, this “pasaran” comes every three day based on three days-week system (viz. pasah, beteng/pasaran, and kajeng), while the cattle market is held on Wednesday and Sunday.

The peken (traditional market) starts at 4 AM and subsides at 9 AM. The peken (traditional market) reaches its height at 6 to 7 AM. At that time the animation is very great and the market resound with excited bargaining, the constant coming and going of the people. The thousand smells of coconut oil, flowers, spices, and dried fish combine to make a pungent smell, the smell of traditional Balinese market. The peken (traditional market) subsides at 9 AM the buyers return home loaded with the merchandise they have bought and the merchants return home with empty basket and loaded pockets.

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