Barong is probably the most well known dance. It is also another story telling dance, narrating the fight between good and evil. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one reality.
Note. This was taken with Nikon D90 with my 18-200 Nikon lens. It is a panning shot.
It is said that the master of metal is not just skill alone but one has to be born in a Pande family.
According to Pak Gede (master blacksmith on the right) the tradition will pass down from father to son and son to grandson.
The Pande is a small, but very tightly knit clan group in Bali. Although the Pande clan did not exist, even in the earliest days the pande has considerable political power, including the right to seat representatives on the governing bodies of the desa (village). To maintain their position of prestige, the smiths kept their techniques secret and saw it in that marriage would take place only within their own professional group.
Pak Gede added that a great blacksmith need to have great strength, great endurance to resist heat and the unique instinct from their mind.
It is said that in the past, Pande sharpen their knives with only their teeth!
It took me some research to locate Pak Gede Mandia and his young son Nyoman Okasuwarna. They stay in a humble house some 40 mins away from Ubud.
I learned a lot from Pak Gede and spend 2 days doing nothing just listening to his amazing stories. And on Sunday morning Pak Gede and son demonstrated the traditional way of sword making. It was a very rare sight as the skill is almost a secret to the outside world. I was honored to observe this rare skill.
Cakka and I went to Bedugul in the morning just to capture the sunrise. We reached Pura Ulun Danu at 620am. Along the way, we saw the biggest and brightest moon hanging beside Mount Batu. Spectacular sight indeed!
Here I boldly captured the Pura Ulun Danu with the sun in the frame. It is a no no to most photography school of thoughts. But who care, as I like it and I think it is unique. What do you guys think ?
More to come...