Food for the future, Organic farming takes root in post-bomb Bali
In the 1990s, the tourism industry in Bali boomed. Many Balinese became rich during this period. But farmers, the traditional upholders of the Balinese economy, became poorer. Costs of agricultural production and the cost of living went up, and the price of agricultural products, especially rice, rose very little. Farmers turned to other work, usually in tourism-related sectors, to make a living. Farmland was converted to other (usually tourism-related) uses. Young people were more attracted to the glamorous prospects offered by tourism than the hard work, dirty clothes and poor pay of farming.
The bombs in Kuta in October 2002 were not the end of tourism, but they were the beginning of the end of the fantasy, blindly held through the boom-years, that tourism was a sustainable long-term base for the Balinese economy. In the wake of the bomb, some advocated a more diversified and sustainable economic base. Many realised that agriculture had been forgotten – or at least marginalised – and that it should perhaps be reinstated at the centre of Balinese culture and economy. Some policy makers suggested developing ‘agro-industri’ and ‘agri-bisnis’ to compete in the global market.
Tumpek Wariga
Ritually, Balinese have a special ceremony to beg any prosperity for vegetations so they can always provide their crops for mankind. The ceremony is called Tumpek Wariga or Tumpek Pengatag will be held on Saturday February 21, 2009. Tumpek Wariga or devoted to Sanghyang Sangkara, Lord of all food – plants when blessing ceremony is given to them for good crops and products, held at every plantation and farm throughout the island. Tumpek Wariga is celebrated every 210 days or 6 months of the Balinese calendar. It’s a right time to beg the God to give His grace so the vegetation can provide a lot of crops. Tumpek Wariga is also called Tumpek Bubuh, because the offerings contain bubuh (porridge) such as bubuh sumsum (porridge made using refined flour). In committing the ceremony, the bubuh is smeared on the tree bark as a symbol of fertilizers (the proper food for vegetation).
Instruction for the Trees
Today, 2/21/09, Balinese celebrate the birthday of the trees. This holiday is called Tumpek Wariga or Tumpek Pengarah. There are a lot some articles in this blog which describe how Balinese express their gratitude to the trees through the celebration of Tumpek Uduh and how this holiday serves as a remainder of the importance of trees for Balinese’s life and also serves as a message for the Balinese to preserve the tree. So this time I will put emphasis on unique mepengarah ritual which is practiced on the celebration of this ceremony.
Workers in the field
Workers in the field
fotografie: Roy Tee
Rice is one of the most important crops on earth. It is daily food for more than half of the world population and more rice is needed every day. On Bali rice is not merely on your plate, it is all around you. In fields, in temples, on foreheads. Rice here is a wealth, the centre of culture.
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Kekeran Village, Busungbiu
But, what a view!. Below in the valley expanse, a river winds its way through there, terraced padi fields symetrically line the faces of the mountains and fields, emerald green and the sheaths of padi swaying in the light breeze.
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Subak.org is dedicated and promote the indigenous traditional Balinese water management organization that is well known as subak. This website features photos and articles in relation with subak and Balinese agriculture.
