Immerse yourself in another side of Bali, the humble side. Tenganan Pengringsingan is a traditional village, which is well-preserved for centuries. The trip takes around two hours drive from central Kuta. Visiting here, it feels like a brief moment of time travelling to the past time of Bali; a time where the charm of modernity has not come yet. Tenganan Pengringsingan people live and preserve traditions that have been passed from their ancestors, in almost all aspects of their life. However, they are opening themselves to the modern world by allowing people from around the globe to come and experience life as they do.
Entering the village, the architecture and the layout of the village are the most visible evidence of the past tradition. Harmonious with the surrounding nature, the houses stand in a row to create a fortress structure, reflecting the community’s worship to Indra as the Lord of War. The spacious area inside the complex evokes the sense of commonality and kinship.
By all means knocking at the door and visit one of these houses. Some of them have a humble gallery showcasing hand-made souvenirs or traditional fabrics. You can also sneak into the making process and go interact with the local residents. It’s always a good idea to have a great morning or afternoon chat with them. Having a local guide is highly recommended during your visit here as the locals tend to tell stories in the Balinese language.
One of the unique souvenirs of Tenganan Village are Geringsing traditional fabric, a textile created by the double ikat method. The making process of Geringsing is done by the females using all manual, traditional and natural sources. This creates a high value product, especially for collectors. More than as clothes, Geringsing is believed by Tenganan people as a symbol of protection from diseases. As in the Balinese language, ‘Gering’ means disease or illness, while ‘Sing’ means no. Another craft, which usually is done by men, is lontar painting on palm leaves. During the day, you will see these men paint outside the houses. The craft calendar, bookmark or keychain with lontar painting on it. These items are available to buy as a travel memento.
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Visitors can come to this village every day throughout the year (except Nyepi Day). Please be advised that none of the visitors are allowed to stay for the night at the village. That being said, the only option is to leave before the dark and find any accommodation at the nearby tourist area of Candidasa. The best time to visit is mid-year (around June-July), where the village community holds an annual ceremony and perform the popular traditional Pandan War ceremony.
