Tabanan, Rainbow over Ricefields

“NGANDIK PARAS” As a Tourist Attraction

In point of fact, the Balinese activity of digging the rock at the river’s border has become a tourism attraction. Things happen at Adeng orchard, Marga, Tabanan. The western part of this village is home to Yeh Hoo River with the altitude 20 – 25 meters. On that river’s crag, seven black skinned men look busy with their job. They work and work again ignoring of hot or thirsty. They digging and curving the rock with certain size.

Meanwhile, the woman handily carried for the curving rocks. They ‘menyunggi’ (carried on the shoulder) and pass through the narrow trail of the riverbank. The magnificent thing is that with the loaded burden on their shoulder, they walk over the ‘titi kayu’ (small bamboo bridge).
Such is their activity in Bali is what we call ‘ngandik paras’, which is curving the ‘batu padas’ (rock) with the size of 38 cm X 14 cm and 8 cm thick. The tool equipments are ‘panyong’, linggis (handspike) and kapak (axe). Before it curved, this hard rock must cleaned before, at least to erase the black/red spot caused by the soil that reached of 5 meters depth. After the ‘padas’ soil was detected, then it curved properly according to the size with digging.
For Adeng villager, ‘ngandik paras’ becomes their main job. Formerly, in 1980’s, there were 530 villagers engaged with this job. Lately, half villagers are diverting their profession. Besides of lacking a new area to dig, it is also a high-risk job. Not surprising if someone ends up dead because of falling into the ravine. In contrary to the women, they will execute this job after cooking. Their job is only ‘menyunggi’ (carry on the shoulder) the curved rocks with suitable payment according to number of the rocks that carry.
Pan Bagik (40) interviewed on the location said, the Japanese tourist delight to watch the river’s sight. Moreover, on the eastern side lies a small clean river with rapids current. The tourist frequently unconventionally watch the local villager bathing or washing their kitchen stuffs. The fountain with clean water sited on that river. Lies also Beji Pemaksan Temple that ‘diemong’ (adhered) by Adeng Villagers. “The tourist often takes a picture over there,” he said while spotting the direction to the big tree inside the temple.
While Pan Citra (38), Kelian Adat (orchard chief) of Adeng sub village said to Bali Travel News, walking on the traditional bamboo bridge is an exciting attraction for the tourist. Right over the bridge, they watch clearly our villagers doing ‘ngandik paras’ activity. The bridge that length about 7 meter, 70 cm width and 15 meters height above the river finally as an interesting tourism object. “For our villagers, that was an usual thing. It is different with the tourist. Factually, if they visit this place, they will search for that traditional bridge,” he said again.
It said, his side always defending for this bridge to keep as steady as possible. The reparation budget attained from the tourism agency that bring their guest onto that place. The people repair that bridge together on certain days.
Usually about 9 o’clock, the guest always comes to visit. Many of them are from Australia, England, USA, China and Japan. “Actually, I didn’t quite realize where are they came from. I recognize them after I ask the guide,” he said.
Sometimes, there are few tourism groups walking down to the river. They walk from Belayu Village, about 2 – 3 Km from the river. “However, they usually use the car. Lately, the walking guests are rare, even more none of them,” he said while asserting that the tourism agencies supply the contribution Rp 400.000 for each month. This amount later on subscribed to the owner (the rock digging site) of Rp 200.000, ‘banjar adat’ (traditional orchard) Rp 150.000, and ‘maksan’ (adherent) of Beji temple for Rp 50.000.
At present, there are only seven persons that survive as ‘tukang kandik paras’ (the rock digger); they are Pan Citra, Pan Seni, Wayan Rawan, Pekak Andi, Pekak Mia, Pan Winari and Pan Nurasih. While for the women who keep ‘menyunggi paras’ are Ni Ketut Nariati (35), Ni Ketut Jindri, and Ni Ketut Sunadi. (BTN/015)