To celebrate the acquisition of a Certificate of Intellectual Communal Property as a Traditional Cultural Expression from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has issued a proclamation declaring that each Tuesday, the general public and officials should wear Bali’s native cloth – Endek Bali.
The Governor’s edict was signed on 23 February 2021 (Surat Ederan Nomor 04 Tahun 2021).
In announcing the new policy, Governor Koster listed five considerations that prompted him to make every Tuesday the day to wear Endek Bali:
- Endek Bali is a unique creative legacy of the people of Bali that must be preserved, protected, and used to support the program “Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali” of Bali’s Provincial Government. That program intends to ensure that the Balinese enter into the “new era” of development in a harmonic and prosperous manner.
- Endek Bali is now registered and an Intellectual Communal Property by the Indonesian Government (EBT.12.2020.0000085).
- The recent appearance of competing cloth products in the marketplace that imitates Endek Bali but has no connection to the Island’s creative economy.
- Endek Bali’s use must be promoted to improve the economic welfare of the Balinese people.
- Both the provincial government and the Balinese people must actively support all steps empowering the local economy through the preservation, protection, and promotion of Endek Bali and other local weaving products.
Bali Post reports that Governor Koster is urging vertical organizations, higher learning places, Bali’s Regents and Mayor, local organizations, and public organizations to show their appreciation for Endek Bali by wearing the quintessential Balinese cloth every Tuesday. Certain religious days falling on particular Tuesdays – such as full moon (Purnama), dark moon (Tilem), and the anniversary of Province’s finding – are exempted from the mandate.
The Governor desires for Bali to take Endek Bali to heart and use the cloth to celebrate special activities and events across the Province.
