Tenganan Village

Tenganan Village is located at north west of Candidasa, about 5 km from the main road. This village is a symmetrically laid out Bali Aga village with a walled home and unique crafts. Tenganan Village is one of the ancient villages on the island of Bali. It reflects the cultural life of its people and customs of the Bali Aga Village (pre-Hindu) which was different from other villages in Bali. Therefore the Tenganan Village developed as a popular cultural tourist attraction.
The history of tenganan village is expressed in few versions. First version is mentioned thet the resident of Tenganan village are come from Paneges village, a village located near with Bedahulu Village that is located in Gianyar Regency. The second version is expressed that word of Tranganan. The third Tenganan version is expressed that the Tenganan Village Resident prays to the bukit Lempuyang Temple.

Here we can see the way true Balinese society live their daily live through the traditions they hold so dear, untouched by outside cultural influences. Traditional row houses still look very well maintained, as free fro pollution.

The friendlines of its people makes travelers more comfortable and they can get to really know more about Tenganan. By the side of the main streets you will find villagers make and sale a palm calendars that are related to tenganan. Tenganan calendar is made from palm leafs. Each palm leaf is arranged vertically and conected with string. At the top and bottom, There are bamboo slats.

Another Tenganan attraction is the ritual tradition Makare - kare, also known as “Pandan War”. Makare - kare is the top part of the procession of the ceremony that’s held at Ngusaba Sambah each june and lasts for 30 days. For one month, Mekare- kare is done 2-4 times and each and each time gifts are given to the village’s ancestor. The man are involved with Mekare - kare from the time they are young right through until old age. As the name implies, it uses pandan leaves, cut in to peace around 30 cm, that can be used as a weapon and a shield to fend off opponnents from pandan thorn scratches. Wounds cause byscratches will be wrapped with pandanus made from herbs and tubers such as laos, turmeric, and other.

Double Ikat weaving is another attractions in Tenganan, that not done anywhere else in Indonesia. The word “Gringsing” comes from the word “Gering” which mean sickness or accident, and “sing” which is not. So Gringsing mean to repel dangers. Making gringsing cloth is done in homes which also are used to sell the cloth. Tourists would come into the house freely without even a courteous “excuse me” or “hello”

Gringsing cloth-making process is unique and takes a long time to make, (up to 3 years), so its scarce and that also make it expensive. Gringsing fabric must be owned by the villagers of Tenganan because it is one of the tools used in ritual such as the cremation ceremony where Gringsing cloth is placed on top of the Bade, tool used to carry the corpse. When the cutting teeth ceremony occurs, Gringsing cloth is used as the base cushion.