Reviving the Sacred Bebali

(12/23/2006)

After a generation of decline, Bali's most ritually important textiles are being revived through the dedicated work of Threads of Life and the Yayasan Pecinta Budaya Bali.

For twenty years, kain cepuk, which is used in offerings and sacred performances could only command low prices meaning its production was limited to the poorest weavers.

The current revival is allowing kain cepuk made by the Karya Tenun Ikat Alami Cooperative on Nusa Penida to produce hand-made, natural-dye cloths for a wider audience. At the same time, natural dyed songket textiles produced in Sidemen in Karangasem are enjoying a renewed popularity among the Balinese.

Sacred bebali textiles, used in transition ceremonies and temple rituals are also being woven once more in Sidemen, Pejeng near Ubud, and Seraya in East Bali.

An Exhibition - Reviving the Sacred Bebali

To celebrate the revival of this tradition textile form the Indonesian Textile Arts Center on Jalan Kajeng 24 in Ubud will hold and exhibition Reviving the Sacred Bebali from December 26, 2006 through January 2, 2007.

For more information call the center at ++62-(0)361-972187.

Exhibtion Schedule

▪ December 26, 2006 - Opening 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

▪ December 27, 2006 - A demonstration and discussion of the mordant and red dyeing process with I Ngurah Hendrawan of Tenglad, Nusa Penida and YPBB Staff, I made Maduarta. A cepuk weaving demonstration by Ni Gede Diari. 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

▪ December 28, 2006- An all-day songket weaving demonstration by Ni. Komang Darmini of Pejeng.

▪ December 29, 2006 - Indonesian- language walk-through of the exhibition by curator I Made Rai Artha from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m..

▪ December 29, 2006 -English-language walk-through of the exhibition by Ni Made Desa Purwani from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m..

▪ December 30, 2006 - All-day Poleng and Berbintang textile weaving demonstration by weavers from Seraya, Karangasam from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m..

▪ December 30, 2006 - A demonstration and discussion of Indigo dyeing by I Made Maduarta and I Wayan Sukadarna from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m..

▪ January 1, 2007 - Indonesian- language walk-through of the exhibition by curator I Made Rai Artha from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m..

▪ January 1, 2007 - English-language walk-through of the exhibition by Ni Made Desa Purwani from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m..

▪ January 2, 2007 - In-depth bi-lingual talk on Bebali Textile with Dra. Ida Ayu Ngurah Puniari, author of Makna dan Pemakiaan Kain Bebali dalam Upacara Agama Hindu di Bali (The Ceremonial Use of Traditional Bebali Textiles).