BALI KITES FESTIVAL – Sending a message the Hindu gods to create abundant crops and harvests
Luc Poirier-Tang
Chargé d'affaires dans l'industrie du meuble - Luxe & International
In the dry season of June through August, the wind blows continuously from east to west in most of Indonesia. This is the magical season where the skies of Bali are peppered with kites, flown by Balinese children and adults from vacant paddy fields.
The Bali Kite Festival; an annual international kite festival is held during this period in Padang Galak area, Sanur Beach. Traditional giant kites of 4 meters in width and almost 10 meters in length, made of bamboo and cotton cloth in traditional red, white and black colors, are flown competitively by teams from the villages (banjar) of Denpasar. Teams consist of about 70 to 80 people, each with its own Gamelan band, flag bearers and more than 10 adult kite-flyers, all vying for the best launch and longest flight.
Bebean (fish-shaped), Janggan (bird-shaped) and Pecukan (leaf-shaped) are three traditional kites flown during this festival. The Bebean is the largest kite, and looks like a broad-mouthed, split-tailed fish. The Janggan has a broad flowing cloth tail that can reach more than 100 meters in length. The Pecukan requires the most skills to fly as its unstable form often tumbles towards the ground, sending team members dashing through adjacent paddy fields to rescue the kite before it lands in the water.
A competition is also held for 'New Creation' (kreasi baru) kites, which may include detailed three-dimensional figures representing the Hindu Gods or sponsorship kites.