A Real Bali Culture at Tenganan Village

Tenganan is a traditional village on the island of Bali. The village is located in the district Manggis, Karangasem regency in the east of the island of Bali. Tenganan can be achieved from Candi Dasa tourist spot and lies approximately 10 kilometers away.

Tenganan Village is one of the three villages of Bali Aga village, besides Trunyan and Sembiran. The meaning is Bali Aga village still retains a lifestyle community governance refers to the rules of the inherited traditional village customs of their ancestors. The shape and the buildings and grounds, setting the location of the building, to the location of the temple is made by following the rules of customary hereditary maintained.


According to some versions of historical records, Tenganan word comes from the word "Central" or "ngatengahang" which means "to move to a more in". The word is associated with the movement of the villagers from the seaside to the residential area in the hills, the West Hill (Bukit Kauh) and eastern hill (Bukit Kangin)


Some say that the people of Tenganan came from Peneges village, Gianyar, formerly known as Bedahulu. According to folklore, King Bedahulu've lost one horse and people are looking to the East. The horse was found dead by Ki Patih Tunjung Biru, the confidence of the king. For his loyalty, Ki duke blue lotus get authority to regulate areas that have a smell of the carcasses (carrion) horse. Ki Patih get a fairly wide as he cut the horse carcass and spread it as far as he could. That's the origin of the local village of Tenganan.

Daily life in the village is still governed by customary law called awig awig. The law was written in the 11th century and refurbished in 1842. Tenganan custom home built from a mixture of red stone, river rock, and soil. While the roof is made of a pile of leaves Rumbi. Existing custom home has a shape and a size relatively similar, with the typical form of the entrance of a width measuring only one adult. Another feature is the top of the door seen together with the roof.

Villagers have a unique tradition of village leaders in recruiting candidates, one of them through customary procession mesabar-sabatan Biu (banana war). Candidates prajuru educated village according to local custom or gradually since childhood and tradition is a kind of psychological testing for potential rural leaders. On the specified date according to local calendar system (around July) will be held ngusaba Sambah with a unique tradition in the form of mageret pandan (pandanus war). In the event, two pairs of village youth will compete on stage with each slice using pandanus thorns. Although it will cause injury, they have antiseptic made from tubers that will spread to all the wounds to dry and heal within a few days. The tradition is to continue the war exercises regularly and create citizens with physical and mental strength. Tenganan residents are known as the Hindu God Indra flow, which is believed to be the God of war.

Tenganan community teach and uphold the concept of Tri Hita Karana (concept in Hinduism) and make it happen in everyday life. Tri Hita Karana means three and the causes of happiness means to achieve balance and harmony. Tri Hita Karana consists of Perahyangan (balanced relationship between man and God), Pawongan (harmonious relationship between humans and other humans), and Palemahan (harmonious relationship between humans and the natural environment)

Visitors will be treated to an unspoiled atmosphere Tenganan. Fun, free entry to all the people who interact with the villagers. Art woven and handicraft manufacturing became more appeal.

In every corner of the house residents, tourists can instantly watch demonstrations of traditional Balinese cloth making very beautiful. Woven fabric is double ikat grimace (Geringsing)

Not only that, here visitors can learn about and purchase the fabrics handmade results Tenganan residents. But do not be surprised if the price offered is very expensive fabrics. This is because the process of making cloth grimace hand weaving techniques. Woven fabrics are also made from natural dyes process is complicated and takes a very long time.

Exotic atmosphere of nature unspoiled village Tenganan seem ancient and very attractive to tourists. Moreover, who wants to get a different atmosphere when visiting the island of Bali.