How surprising it was. The courtyard of Jagatnatha Temple on the eastward side of Puputan Badung square usually only passed-by, on Saturday (11/12) was conjured up into a boisterous venue for Bali customary activities. Its ambience was just like masuka-duka namely a traditional activity of Hindu in Bali. By wearing Balinese traditional costume, they performed several activities such as making canang sari (a kind of offering), Balinese traditional cuisine, gebogan bunga (flower arrangement) and duetted fashion shows by oldies. This activity was organized by Motivator Team of Family Prosperity Empowerment (TP PKK) of Denpasar City in relation to the celebration of United Movement Day (HKG) of PKK that associated with Family Planning-Health Day, Mother’s Day and National Social Solidarity Day (HKSN).
An activity that attracted the attention of spectators was the competition of wearing festive-temple fashions by duetted oldies. The oldies of over 60 years did not like to be far left behind the professional models. In pristine appearance, these oldie couples endeavored to give their best performance. Some were swaying her hips gracefully just like a dancer. And assuredly, the act of these trendy oldies tempted spectators’ laughter.
In the meantime, around the courtyard of Museum Bali and Jagatnatha Temple, hundreds participants of the vocation competition in varied traditional costumes were absorbed in arranging young coconut leaf along with varied flowers and cooking Balinese food. Consequently, visitors got f enjoyment that indeed rarely happenes. The ambience was also watched by visitors who would like to enter Museum Bali. They paused to see the activity of Balinese people.
Chief Motivator Team of PKK of Denpasar City, Mrs. Bintang Puspayoga stated that the competition was an effort to motivate the young generation and families all over Denpasar in order to learn and maintain the traditional culture persistently, moreover, that pertained to rituals. According to her it was performed considering the fact that on these days, she saw the dynamic and high mobility of Denpasar city dwellers and also the cultural influence were highly aggressive that ultimately made some traditional vocations performed more rarely by them in daily life.
Some traditional activities that were put into the competition were twisting satay participated by 17 youngsters (of the senior high school level), ngerames and making lawar (typical Balinese food) by 22 sekaa tarunas (youth organization of customary village),a festive-temple fashion show by 20 oldies, arranging coconut leaf for wedding reception by 31 participants of Dharma Wanita Persatuan (organization of civil servants’ spouse) in the circle of Denpasar Municipality, metanding banten prayascita (making purification offerings) by 32 PKKs of all hamlets all over Denpasar and making canang sari by 60 children of elementary school level. (BTN/015)