BAKBAKAN · GIANYAR
The people and place behind the evening.
Meet the people of Bakbakan, the hosts who opened the door, and the neighbours from three participating banjar who turn one courtyard into music, dance and a shared meal.
03 / THE VILLAGE
In Bakbakan, Gianyar, the full moon still belongs to village life.
North of Gianyar town, Bakbakan is a living village community. There is no cultural park here: the temple, gamelan, dances and shared meal all belong to the life of the people who live around them.
On most evenings, these places and traditions remain entirely within the community. On selected full moons, a small number of guests are invited in—not to tour a staged village, but to spend an evening within its own rhythm.
07 / YOUR HOSTS
Dewa opens the door. Bakbakan makes the evening.
Dewa and his brother-in-law initiated the evening from within Bakbakan, Gianyar. Dewa has worked overseas and speaks English; his wife can also explain the experience in English, giving guests a direct bridge into the community rather than a detached tour script.
They are joined by three participating banjar, neighbours who play gamelan, young dancers, families who cook, and the mangku who serves the temple. Keeping the gathering small lets guests meet the people behind each part of the night.
THE MANGKU
The person who guides the blessing.
The mangku welcomes guests into the temple and guides the use of holy water, flowers and prayer gestures. Guests do not copy a ritual from a distance; they follow the person entrusted with caring for the temple and the order of the blessing.