Voogs

Balinese Offerings

I had a very interesting and delightful fun lesson on making the Balinese ‘offerings’. Learning to weave the baskets pining them into the different shapes (each basket has a different cultural meaning.  Make the woven pieces that sit inside and hold frangipani, marigolds, petals, gardenias and a moss like greenery and an unbelievably fragrant Balinese flower that I think may be an orchid.  It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.  My teacher had NO English so the instruction was just watch and follow. They are trickier to make than you think and luckily my teacher was so patient, my square basket looked definitely wonky and NOT square and my ceremonial special fronded ones a bit droopy!  He he he It was fun! After making mine, it seemed a shame to give them away!

You can read about the significance and spiritual meanings of the makings of the offerings, the Balinese culture below….So interesting! (Demons??? No later was told just a bit naughty) This class is only $10 (plus you have to pay a small 'tip', it shows your enjoyment and thank you for your time), available through Pangkung House.

The many unseen inhabitants of Bali like….. gods, ancestors and demons etc. are treated by the Balinese as honored guests through the daily presentation of ‘offerings’ of every imaginable shape, color and substance. These are first and foremost gifts in expressing gratitude to benevolent spirits, and placating mischievous demons to prevent them from disturbing the harmony of life.  Simple offerings are presented daily as a matter of course, while more elaborate ones are specially produced for specific rituals. These offerings must be attractive, and a great deal of time and effort is expended to make them so. Leaves are laboriously cut, plaited and pinned together into decorative offerings with flowers, a bit of cake/biscuit or sweet, coin and tobacco etc. They have a deep symbolic significance quite apart from their decorative function. In many ways, therefore, the making of offerings is an important traditional art form that flourishes in Bali.