Tenganan Ancient Village

Ancient, the origin of Balinese people, culture and tradition

Tenganan Village, located in East Bali, is one of the Bali Aga (indigenous Balinese) settlements known for its well-preserved village layout and continued survival of traditional trades. The community is within an 8-minute drive from Candidasa's beach resort centre.
Tenganan Dauh Tukad (loosely translates to 'west of the river') and Tenganan Pegringsingan are the two sections of the village divided by a river. The traditional geringsing tie-dyed 'double ikat' cloth of Pegringsingan is famous. If your visit falls around June or July, the annual Perang Pandan war dance, which features friendly duels between village lads coming of age, is absolutely worth witnessing.

Tenganan Village Highlight

Tenganan is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year. Much of the village's original layout and architecture have been preserved. Even though television antennae and electrical wire can now be seen here and there, the majority of the stone and clay walls, bamboo and thatch roofing, and other features harken back to a bygone era. Almost all of the home compounds welcome visitors, and each one has something unique to offer the curious guest. Craftsmen are weaving a geringsing fabric, carving wooden masks, and making basketry goods inside. Arts and handicrafts are sold in home stalls, and you can haggle directly with the stall owners. Sashes, batiks, and wayang puppets are some of the more common Balinese products that can be seen practically anyplace in Bali. Some handicrafts, such as wall decorations in the form of lontar (palm leaf) manuscripts, are unique to the area and worth looking at. The majority of products sold do not have price tags, therefore bargaining is an important part of the experience.

Tenganan's gringsing weavings

Heirloom products are original gringsing double ikat (tie-dyed) weavings. Producing a single piece of fabric is often a time-consuming procedure that necessitates complicated weaving and dyeing techniques. Natural dyes, produced from a variety of local tree barks, plants, and herbs, are likewise one-of-a-kind. There are various types of gringsing, and some very rare examples are thought to have mystical abilities by the Tenganan peasants. Tenganan Pegringsingan is a terrific place to come if you want to buy your own unusual piece of'magic' from one of Bali's oldest villages. The most basic versions are inexpensive, while the more intricate ones can cost up to Rp 25 million each. Tenganan Village requires a 'contribution' to enter, and the ticket booth is located near the village entrance.