Searching
for Knowledge to Mainland China
Prior
to Indonesia’s independence, the
perforated coin (pis bolong in Balinese)
was still functioning as means of commercial
transaction, particularly in rural areas
across Bali. These coins, made from
the mixture of some metals, according
to the statements of the elders in Bali,
came from China.
Chinese characters written down on both
surfaces can prove this. However, since
the distribution of coins and banknotes
issued by the Government of Indonesia,
these perforated coins were no longer
used for means of transaction. Nevertheless,
they remain to be used till today, chiefly
as paraphernalia of Hindu and customary
rituals in Bali.
As the use of perforated coins reaches
large numbers, its existence today grows
rare. This fact then makes it difficult
for the people to find them, particularly
for the needs of customary rituals.
On that account, many craftsmen of Bali
turn their creativity from making sculpture
to perforated coins.
One of them is the sculpting artist
Nyoman Dirga from Kapal Village, Mengwi
(Badung). Not long ago, he joined the
BIGexpo in Nusa Dua. He told Bali Travel
News that making sculptor by means of
perforated coins gave him a great challenge.
To look for its materials made him hunt
the original ones in Mainland China.
His Chinese – Indonesian wife,
Mrs. The Lie How, fully supported his
intention and together they travelled
to Hong Kong in 1999 and 2003. Having
arrived there, they met the family of
his wife. During his stay in Hong Kong,
Nyoman Dirga hunted down perforated
coins and at the same time looked for
its printing machine in Mainland China.
"Due to assistance of The Lie How’s
parents, we could find what we needed,"
he said.
On returning from China, he was the
only one that owned the printing machine
of perforated coins in Bali. Nyoman,
who was born in 1954 and has five sons,
has commenced to apply his knowledge
producing perforated coins he obtained
in China.
His aspiration got results. His business
ran flourishingly. Metal materials required
for producing such coins comprise a
mixture of iron, copper, silver, bronze
and a small amount of gold. These five
metal elements are called Pancha Datu.
Having succeeded in producing perforated
coins, he established a company named
UD Mulya Kapal situated on Jalan Raya
Desa Kapal, in front of Beringkit Market.
Other than producing perforated coins,
he also makes sculptures from these
coins. His sculptures assume the appearance
of Goddess Sri, Saraswati and other
goddesses. Each is sold at IDR 2.5 million
to IDR 7.5 million, while a string of
coins (containing 200 pieces) at IDR
120,000 to IDR 140,000. (BTN/Yan Beryas)
