Pangerebongan is a traditional ceremony that aims to protect people especially for them who live around of Kesiman village from disease, disasters, and others bad things. Most people of Kesiman pu much faith in the efficacy of Pegerebongan ceremony that is the reason why Pangerebongan is held. Other people do not know this reason. Surprisingly, they, who do not know the reason, keep this ritual alive by come and join to this ritual.

Rangda

Some people who know the myth clearly enough said that the story began from a long time ago. Once upon a time “Ratu Gede Mecaling” with his followers which are formed as Rangda, Barong, and others form came to Kesiman Village. Ratu Gede who is described as big, with dark skin and canines commanded his followers to spread pestilence to this village.

(more…)

On 2/10/08, the biggest mass ritual trance ritual which is known as Pengerebongan was held in Petilan temple, in Kesiman village Denpasar. Here are some snapshots from the most famous trance dance in the island.

Petilan temple is situated near the palace of Kesiman many people calls this temple, Pengerebongan temple due to the popularity of the pengerebongan trance ritual that is held in this temple. There are many speculations on the origin of the word “Pengerebongan”; the widely accepted origin of this word is the phrase “ngerehang barong” or “recharging the magical power of the Barong” (protective deities in form of mythological beast). This speculation is supported by the fact that many Barong and Rangda from Kesiman and surrounding villages come to participate in the ceremony.

(more…)

Pagoda-like, multi-tiered Meru is surely the pinnacle of Balinese architecture, the prima ballerina of temple courtyard. But it is not the biggest structure which is produced by the Balinese. When it comes to size, wantilan or arena for cockfighting is a king pin. Wantilan can be found almost in every village all over the island, each village usually has its own wantilan near the village center; a big temple usually has its own wantilan. The vast number of wantilan exists in the island is a reminder of the popularity of the cockfighting in the bygone days.

The Wantilan is an open all-side structure covered by two or three roofs in pagoda like arrangement. The Wantilan consists of a large square that contains one two smaller square on whose angle the round uprights supporting the roof stand. The small square in the middle of wantilan serves as cockfight arena, this arena is the most important part of the wantilan.

(more…)

Balinese traditional architecture, an ancient art that controlled by the ironclad strictness of Asta Kosala Kosali rules always seeks a balance between the environment and the human. The Asta Kosala Kosali governs the Balinese traditional architecture so it will create “Balinese-ness” of the scene, harmony with the surrounding environment and the grace of the structure.

(more…)

Hyang Api temple in Kelusa village, Payangan, Gianyar is well known for its deity-protected cockfighting. Hyang Api’s cockfighting is the biggest deity-protected cockfighting event in Bali, involving thousands of gamblers, several arenas, and last for 42 days. This cockfighting starts on Kuningan Holiday (every 210 days based on pawukon cycle), for the first five days the cockfighting is held from dawn to noon after that it is held every 5 days during 42-day period following Kuningan. At least 100 pairs of fighting cock will be involved during the first 5 days. At the end of this year, Hyang Api’s cockfighting is held from 9^th December 2006 up to 20^th January 2007.

The cockfights in this temple are usually held in wantilan (public hall) and middle temple courtyard. Since this cockfighting involves thousands of gamblers many arenas are created in the middle temple courtyard besides the main arena inside the wantilan. Ordinary tajen always has one arena however big it is. Hyang Api’s cockfighting is considered as a super cockfighting in Bali.

(more…)