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Indonesian Independence Day August 17, 2020

August 17th is a national holiday celebrating the foun dation of Indonesia in 1945 as an independent nation, free from Dutch colonial rule. This day is also referred to locally as Hari Merdeka or Tujuh belas Agustus. Prior to 1945, Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands. As Japan began to expand in World War II, Japanese lead ers decided to support the independence movement in Indonesia in an attempt to drive the Netherlands out of its sphere of influence. Achmed Sukarno and Muhammad Hatta collaborated with the Japanese military to reclaim Indonesia from the Dutch. On August 17, 1945, Sukarno and Hatta proclaimed Indonesia’s independence from the Dutch and Japanese authorities by announcing the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, known in Indonesian as Proklamasi Kemerdekaan Indonesia or simply Proklamasi. In 2005, the Netherlands finally recognized August 17, 1945 as Indonesia’s date of independence. Indonesian Independence Day is celebrated to a lesser extent in Bali compared to the rest of Indonesia, though there is a better chance of larger celebrations in more populated areas.

Red and white flags line the streets and flag raising ceremonies take place in government offices and in schools. Students gather on fields and sing national anthems, pray for late national heroes and recite the proclamation of Independence. While formal ceremonies take place, in local neighbourhoods, the atmosphere is festive with many activities taking place. Krupuk (shrimp chips) eating contests, races and fun games fill the day. Cooking contests are carried out to see who can make the big gest krupuk or the most delicious nasi tumpeng. One of the most popular games is the panjat pinang. A greased Areca palm trunk is erected in a public area and various prizes such as bikes and TV’s are hung on top of the tree. Whoever makes it to the top wins the prize. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, it is likely that the Bali government may limit large gatherings this year. Please check ahead of time if you plan on travelling to specific areas.

Bali Kite Festival August 15-18 In southern Bali, kites fly overhead much of the year. In the dry season, specifically June through August, the winds often blow from east to west in most of Indonesia. Balinese adults and children enjoy flying kites in vacant rice paddies and other open spaces during this period. The Bali Kite Festival is an annual international kite fes tival held in Padang Galak, a coastal area north of Sanur Beach. Giant traditional kites are flown competitively by teams from the villages of Denpasar as well as teams from abroad. The event began as a seasonal festival intended to thank the Hindu Gods for providing abundant crops and harvests. The festival has since grown to become one of the most unique events on Bali’s calendar. The festival attracts many tourists and international kite fliers, along with many local spectators. Teams may consist of 10 or more members, each with its own gamelan (traditional orchestra) ensemble, flag bearers and kite flyers. A competition for kreasi baru (new creations) kites is also held, which may include detailed three-dimensional figures representing Hindu Gods or sponsorship kites. Bebean (fish-shaped), janggan (birdshaped) and pecukan (leaf-shaped) are traditional types of kites flown during this festival. The bebean is the largest kite, and looks like a wide-mouthed, split-tailed fish. The janggan kite has a broad flowing cloth tail that can reach more than 100 meters in length. The pecukan kite requires the most skill to fly, as it can be unstable.

Tumpek Uduh August 22, 2020 One of the key concepts in the Balinese Hindu religion is to keep nature in balance. Tumpek Uduh is a ceremony performed to pay respect to all trees and plants. Also known as Tumpek Wariga or Tumpek Pengatag, Tumpek Uduh is devoted to Sang Hyang Sangkara, Lord of all plants. Hindus in Bali commemorate Tumpek Uduh on Saniscara Kliwon (Saturday) every 210 days in the Balinese calendar. This day is an expression of gratitude for fertility and abundant and healthy crops that produce dense fruit or flowers. Blessing ceremonies are performed by Balinese Hindus at farms and plantations throughout the island. The God Sangkara is honoured for keeping plants and trees alive and fertile as well as protecting them from pests and anything that can harm them. Thus, they will produce abundantly and human life will benefit. To show gratitude, the Balinese offer fruits, flower offerings as well as bubur sumsum (traditional porridge), sprinkled with coconut and liquid brown sugar. Tumpek Uduh is also related to protection of the environment, especially preserving trees. This tradition is emphasized particularly in the agricultural areas of Bali. The younger generation are encouraged to produce fruit for themselves as well as for offerings. If they do not plant trees, they will not produce fruit in the gardens.