Badung
The Center of Tourism
I Made Asta
Weapon Maker of the ”Nine-Fold Division
of Space”
Badung Regency has
beaches and mountains that are popularly
known as nyegara-gunung. This term is
commonly applied to refer the allurement
of a journey to the beach (segara) and
to relax in the coolness of the mountain
ranges (gunung).
The
distance of beach and mountain in Badung
Regency is not too far, just an 8-hour
drive, to reach the area. Firstly, Kuta
Beach is some 2 km to the north of Ngurah
Rai Airport or 11 km south of Denpasar
and the area is provided with facilities
and supporting infrastructure—white
sandy beaches along 4 km that is frequently
thronged by world surfers and tourists
watching stunning sunsets and visiting
tourism facilities (hotels, restaurants,
art shops and many others).
From Kuta, you can visit other tourist
attractions in Northern Badung. At Pelaga
Village, Petang sub district, 58 km in
the north of Kuta lies the Pelaga Agrotourism
with it’s allurement of nature and
hilly ranges, mountains, valleys, gorges,
terraced rice fields, waterfalls and spreading
coffee estates all having a distinctive
attraction.
Petang has a cool climate bordering on
3 regencies, namely Tabanan, Buleleng
and Bangli. The charm of its nature that
has been known from time immemorial is
fit for releasing fatigue and relaxing
with the family. The Dutch government
formerly established a traveller’s
rest house and now operated by the government
of Badung. From here, it will be easier
to reach other destinations like Kintamani,
Bedugul or paying homage at Pucak Mangu
Temple.
On entering this region, you’d better
bring along a compass or a small map for
guidance so you will not get lost. As
you may be aware, the streets are winding,
sometimes passing through dense forests
or in the midst of spreading vast rice
fields.
Hindu communities in Bali use the points
of a compass called penawasangan (nine-fold
division of space). This direction is
also called Ista Dewata. Penawasangan
is the symbol of the 9 manifestations
of God that has the task to maintain the
balance of the universe and called Dewata
Nawasanga (9 gods that guard the division
of space).
The nine gods mentioned above are Lord
Vishnu (North) that is represented with
discus, Lord Brahma (South) with a club,
Lord Isvara (East) with a thunder-hammer,
Lord Mahadeva (West) with a snake-snare,
Lord Sambu (Northeast) with a trident,
Lord Mahesora (Southeast) with frankincense,
Lord Rudra (Southwest) with swords, Lord
Sangkara (Northwest) with banners and
in the centre Lord Shiva with a lotus.
Weapons of Dewata Nawasanga are always
set up on celebrating temple festivals
completed with spears. This paraphernalia
is believed to have spiritual power so
they are made sacred, both at the time
of making them and on retaining them,
just like what Pande I Made Asta does.
According to this graduate of Economics
(1981) from Belawan Hamlet, Dauh Yeh Cani
Village, Abiansemal sub district Badung,
starting from designing to the making
of these weapons, should be done in peaceful
mind and premier condition. “Apart
from its complicated shape, materials
for making these weapons cannot be of
just any kind. Likewise, the making of
them should be initiated with determining
the auspicious day and accompanied with
rituals by putting the offerings,”
he said to Bali Travel News.
Completing these weapons cannot be done
carelessly, both on selecting the time
and place. Therefore, his brothers, wife
and children assist him. “Becoming
a pande (blacksmith) is to continue to
predecessor’s heritage that cannot
be ignored,” he said.
The husband of Ni Nyoman Murdani admitted
that he gets orders everyday for the needs
of the temple. His orders come from all
over Bali, even from outside Bali like
Jakarta but he takes a day-off on Tumpek
Landep. “Tumpek Landep is a festivity
and holiday for blacksmiths,” he
told us whilst adding that other than
making weapons he as well makes household
tools like knifes, machetes, axes and
farming tools like sickles and hoes.
According to Made Asta, he has been deeply
involved in the work since 1965 when he
was in elementary school. He also often
promotes his products by participating
in handicraft exhibitions like the Bali
Arts Festival (BAF), celebration of Independence
Anniversary of RI or Regional Handicraft
Council of Badung Regency. (BTN/015)
