Siat Sampian

Siat Sampian or young coconut leaf war is an oldest and unique tradition in Bali, which is usually held in the Samuan Tiga Temple, but I photograph this tradition at the Gianyar Art Festival a few months ago. Normally this tradition started with surrounding the area of Samuan Tiga Temple as much 18 times, divided into five rounds with different movements then the women [ premas ] and man [ parekan ] broke away to pray after that they take a young coconut leaf and started this unique ritual, the purpose of this ritual is a overview to the people that sense of togetherness is the solution to resolve conflicts between people

Pengerebongan

Pengerebongan is a unique religious rituals usually held every six months in The Great Petilan Temple, Kesiman village, Denpasar, Bali. The purpose of this ritual is a form of gratitude to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa and also neutralize the spirit or evil powers in order not to disturb the human race. Through this ceremony the villagers believe will be spared from the plague and disaster. This sacred ceremonies begins with praying of the local people in Kesiman village, because on that day also held the Odalan ceremony in the Great Petilan Temple. When the ceremony begins, the atmosphere in the temple changed so sacred, then there are some people who lose control over their bodies or we know it as Trance. A variety strange expressions look in some on their faces, such as daydreaming, screaming, crying, and also raging, so need some people to keep them in order not to harm himself or the people around the temple. Then the people who trance and their guards taken out of the temple to surround The Wantilan Temple as much three times, some people who trance piercing a Kris or Bali traditional dagger into his body but the Sharpness of Kris doesn't hurt them, many people in Bali believe that as evidence of a space between Skala and Niskala or the real and unreal world, that can’t be explain in human logic. After surround The Wantilan Temple three times the people who trance given a holy water or known as Tirta in Bali, then they were led into the temple to make them aware back to the normal condition.

Rejang Dance Portraits

Bali has been very popular among local and foreign tourism, one of which became the main attraction of Bali is a dance, a few months ago I was watching Rejang Dance show, a dance that performed with very simple movements, this dance is usually held at every temple ceremony and also performed with a sense of hydrates, full of devotion to Bhatara Bhatari and while waiting for the show started, I photographed their portraits.

Dailylife : One Fine Day In Ubud

Last summer I taking the time go to Ubud, a village full of artist and natural beauty, is really an exotic village. Here I feel like in another country because most people who visit this village are foreign tourists who want to find a serenity from atmosphere of the city, in the morning I visited a traditional market where this market is only selling a product of art. In the afternoon I visited a Puri in Ubud, this Puri was once is home of the kings in this region, here I can see the history and architecture of Puri Ubud, at night I came into this Puri again to watch a bali dance performance.

really a nice holiday

On Magazine : Bali And Beyond Magazine September 2011

Last months ago I got an email from Bali and beyond magazine they are interested to the portfolio that I sent to them, for they were published in the magazine edition of September, thanks to Bali and beyond magazine that has been given a chance as a contributor.

Bali Art Festival 2011: Portraits

Last week I spent my time to Bali Art Festival 2011 event, which was held in downtown of Denpasar, Puputan Field.This Event was held every year once, and this time Bali Art Festival themed "Desa kala patra", in this event I found a lot of unique bali society portrait make me want to photograph some of their exotic faces with various expressions of them, here are some of their portrait

Legong Dance

Legong is a form of Balinese dance.It is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions.

Legong probably originated in the 19th century as royal entertainment. Legend has it that a prince of Sukawati fell ill and had a vivid dream in which two maidens danced to gamelan music. When he recovered, he arranged for such dances to be performed in reality.Others believe that the Legong originated with the sanghyang dedari, a ceremony involving voluntary possession of two little girls by beneficent spirits.Legong is also danced at public festivals. Excerpts from Legong dance dramas are put on for tourists.

Legong dancers are always girls who have not yet reached puberty. They begin rigorous training at about the age of five. These dancers are regarded highly in the society and usually become wives of royal personages or wealthy merchants.

Classical Legong enacts several traditional stories. The most common is the tale of the King of Lasem from the Malat, a collection of heroic romances. He is at war with another king, the father (or brother) of Princess Ranjasari. Lasem wants to marry the girl, but she detests him and tries to run away. Becoming lost in the forest, she is captured by Lasem, who imprisons her and goes out for a final assault against her family. He is attacked by a monstrous raven, which foretells his death.

The dramatics are enacted in elaborate and stylized pantomime. The two little actresses are accompanied by a third dancer called a tjondong or attendant. She sets the scene, presents the dancers with their fans and later plays the part of the raven.