Badung The Center of Tourism

I Made Asta
Maker of the "Dewata Nawa Sanga" Weapon

I Made Asta (45) is a blacksmith well known for his proficiency in producing various spears of various kinds and forms utilized as implements in Hindu odalan ritual in temples. These spears are popular as “Dewata Nawa Sanga” weapons, praised for having spiritual powers.

“The time and place of performing the job should be highly selective to avoid a dangerous risk of transgression of the codes,” I Made Asta said seriously in a meeting with Bali Travel News’ reporter at his home in Banjar Belawan, Desa Dauh Yeh Cani, Kecamatan Abiansemal.
His distinguished job of producing ‘Dewa Nawa Sanga’ spears, Mr. Asta known as Pande I Made Asta, has become very popular with the many customers that come to him to order his spears. These customers come both from and outside Badung Regency. Some people even come from Jakarta in relation to the odalan ceremony held in Rawamangun Temple.
He has been keen to take part in handicraft exhibitions as a participant representing Badung, for instance at the annual event of Bali’s Art Festival, 17 August 1945 Proclamation Day of the Republic of Indonesia. He is pleased to see the governments of Badung Regency and Province of Bali assisting him in developing his skill.
Asta told us about when he sold a set of “Dewata Nawa Sanga” spears. He sold the set of nine kind of spears for Rp 500,000 per spear giving a total income of about Rp 4,500,000 per set,” answered the blacksmith, who will not change this rather specific profession with a very limited market compared to those producing household implements or farming tools.
His spirit is to eternalize ancestral heritage of specific characters due to his conviction he would be capable of bearing his family’s life by adhering to his present profession, notwithstanding the fact that sometimes he had to fight to curb challenges face by his family.
“I sometimes repair household implements, such as knives to give sharpness or a new look, to cover our daily household expenses,” he said frankly. Asta said, adding that he has concentrated on this type of work since the 1960s, when he studied at elementary school and assisted his father in tackling great amount of orders.
His skill developed so smoothly that he has often assisted other smiths in their surmounting difficulties to accrue standard material for knives and fuel by establishing a cooperative in Banjar Belawan in 1981. This father of three children has persisted in day-to-day activities as a pande, except during Tumpek Landep Holy Day, the sacred day for blacksmiths which must be observed seriously. (Budarsana)

 

See Bali's Regencies : Badung : Maker of the "Dewata Nawa Sanga" Weapon Gianyar :An Expert in Making Daggers Bangli : ”Tumpek Landep” A Means of Sharpening the Mind Klungkung : Klungkung Observes Tumpek Landep Holy Day Karangasem : "Tumpek Landep In Andekasa Temple Buleleng : Desa Menyali Blacksmith Center of Buleleng Jembrana : “Tumpek Landep” in West Bali Tabanan : Pande Village in Tabanan Denpasar : Officials Order Mr. Catur's Work