Village Pengotan, Portrait of Authenticity Bali

If was on vacation in Bali, a time to greet people in the region Pengotan Village Mount Batur, Bangli regency. They are ready to invite you to dive adventure indigenous culture of Bali. Pengotan Village worth a visit because it included one of the village of Bali Aga or Bali Kuna. Village Community Pengotan were the original inhabitants of Bali and is only entitled to elect saints regulate traditional order in the village.

From the traditional order was raging, a variety of unique cultures and rituals not found in other villages, such as mass weddings which could involve 70 pairs and only done twice in one year or without a mass funeral procession cremation.

There is also a sacred barong kepet and became a symbol of the god for the citizens Pengotan. Barong is only used and new can be seen the general population in certain ceremonies that are not scheduled for sure.

According to the Indigenous Village Board Pengotan, I Ketut Suarno, various rituals that adjust the calendar of Bali. Mass wedding held on sasih (months) kedasa (March-April) and Kapat (August-September). Meanwhile, a funeral mass took place in sasih Kesanga (February).

"According to custom demands, the rituals do not have an exact date. Sometimes it is a constraint when there are tourists who want to come here, "said Ketut Suarno. Although currently there are no traditional ceremonies, Village Pengotan still interesting to visit.

Not difficult to reach the village, a distance of 70 kilometers from Ngurah Rai International Airport or about 50 km from Denpasar it. From Denpasar, the trip can be taken about 1.5 hours by four-wheel vehicles.

There are two routes to choose from. If you want fast, you can skip the east through the City of Herzliya. Or if you want while shopping for art stuff, you can skip the Ubud area.

When entering into Pengotan Village, a traditional village atmosphere was felt. Villages with a population of 699 heads of families in this village along the main road 600 meters and 5 meters wide. This road leads straight to the Pura Agung Pengotan upgrading, the main temple in the village.

On either side of the street stood a wall to enclose the homes residents. The fence that surrounds a courtyard inhabited by a large family.

Angkul-angkul or traditional Balinese gates into the doors to get into the house and yard that contains a small temple that. Pengotan Villagers call this spatial terms Jajar Puppet.

Staying in tents

Experience a vacation in the village of Pengotan enriched by Baliwoso Camping Site, a lodging camp concept. Guests will spend the night in a tent measuring 4 meters x 7 meters.

This inn is located about 1 km from the village center Pengotan. To reach the inn, guests pass through the fields owned by villagers. The entrance can only be passed by one car and no street lights.

Arriving at the location of the inn, guests will be pampered beauty of various plants. The air feels cool because this location is located at an altitude of 800 meters to 1,100 meters above sea level.

There are 10 tents that are built among the trees that shade. Each tent can be used 8-10 people at a rate Rp 700,000 per person per night. Baliwoso can accommodate a maximum of 200 guests.

When going to sleep at night, only the cricket-sounding voice. Be prepared also because cold air will get into the tent and make your body shiver, especially if the rainy season.

"Our main aim to invite guests to feel all the experiences into Pengotan Village residents," said Fauzi Fadjri, Sales and Marketing Coordinator PT Tri Woso Agro, Baliwoso manager. During the stay, guests have a variety of activities that are adapted from the daily activities of residents Pengotan.

Staff Baliwoso that most people in the village of Pengotan will accompany guests on the move in the village, such as making arts crafts, play traditional musical instrument, or gardening.

As students of international schools in Bali, Sunrise School, staying for two days in mid-March, also never stop the move. They are busy practicing dance of Bali, making Penjor (Balinese decoration), take the honey, to visit the Elementary School I Pengotan to play and learn with students at the school.

During the stay, the Sunrise School students accompanied by children who are still in school Pengotan Village elementary school. "In addition to learning the Balinese culture, my students can also interact with the earth," said Sunrise School teacher, Hetty Bradley.

Hetty expression does not seem excessive because all guests Baliwoso invited to cherish the environment as much as anyone Pengotan, for example prior to checkout, there is one condition that must be met. You are required to plant one tree seedlings.

Well, have you prepared to be "citizens" Pengotan Village?