Nearby Tenganan Village is an ancient village where daily life still follows the Bali Aga (pre-Hindu) culture and traditions. The village’s annual ‘mekare kare’ is an extraordinary sight – a theatrical fight between the young men of the village, using prickly pandanus leaf whips! Each duel is staged to the intense martial sounds of ‘gamelan selonding’ music, and lasts only a few seconds, accompanied by much merriment and laughter. The attacks are warded off with tightly woven ‘ata’ vine shields.
There are no winners or losers; the objective is to draw blood as an offering to the gods. After the battles, the combatants’ wounds are treated with a stinging mixture of alcohol and turmeric, leaving no scars. Meanwhile, the women of the village don the famous hand-woven double ikat textiles, known as ‘Geringsing’, that is believed to possess the power to protect the wearer from sickness and evil.
Meet at the lobby at 11.00am, presentation by the leisure concierge about the day’s schedule and the story behind the event. Once the Sarongs have been donned, depart to Tenganan Village.
What’s Included:
Ticket or distribution
Transport
Guide
Drinking water
Sarong
Chilled face towels
What to bring:
Casual clothes
Sarong (provided)
Sun Glasses
Sun Block
Camera
Additional Details:
Minimum number of persons: 2