The Ancient Culture of Asak Village

    Asak traditional village is part of Pertima village in Karangasem district. This village is one of the tourism villages in Karangasem regency, Bali which is located in a highland area with an altitude of 200 - 450 meters and borders Bungaya village to the north and Subagan village to the east. Asak tourism village can be reached by motorcycle, car, car rental, or minibus from Denpasar for 1 hour 58 minutes or from the airport for 2 hours 10 minutes. Along the drive, you will pass the rice fields and see the Agung mountain. Below is the location of Asak tourism village:

   

    Based on the Asak inscription and Bendesa Rani Satru, this village is one of the ancient villages in Karangasem regency. Asak village as an ancient village has unique religious activities and cultures. There are some religious and culture activities that have survived until now. Listed below are religious activities and cultures in Asak village:

No	Religious Activity and Culture
1	Ngusaba Ngaulu
2	Nyepeg Sampi
3	Usaba Kasa
4	Usaba Muhu-Muhu
5	Usaba Sambah
6	Usaba Sumbu
7	Rejang Dehe Dance
8	Pendet Dance

 

1. Ngusaba Ngaulu and Nyepeg Sampi

Ngusaba ngaulu is held once a year in January or February. One of its series is nyepeg sampi. The implementation of the nyepeg sampi ritual is dominated by the young community (seke dehe teruna) of Asak village. The young men wear black kamben and wrapped by white saput and tied by black-and-white belt. They also wear red traditional headdress (destar) and bring traditional weapon (belakas sudamala). The young women wear yellow brocade kebaya and bring bokor which is equipped with offerings. 

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The interesting thing about nyepeg sampi is when the young men chase the bull to be killed. The blood of bull is believed to bring fertility and prosperity for Asak village. At the end of the event, the young, traditional police (pecalang) and villagers (krama saing) will eat together (megibung). It is an inclusive activity that encourages togetherness among people.  Here is the video of ngusaba ngaulu.

2. Usaba Muhu-Muhu

Usaba Muhu-Muhu is held once a year in Dalem Tengah temple for getting salvation and prosperity. One of its series is mecaru desa. Caru is made to change negative aspects of the universe to be positive aspects or good spirits. At the end of the event, villagers (krama desa) will eat together (megibung). They will eat in container that made of wood or clay (dulang) and covered by knitted coconut leaves (tamas). One dulang can be enjoyed by four to eight persons. One circle of megibung dishes consist of pepesan (meat and vegetable wrapped in banana leaf, urutan (Balinese sausage), kablet (meat satay), sate tusuk, sate nyuh (coconut satay), lawar, etc. Megibung teaches a value of egality. Generally, in megibung there is no distinction of gender, caste. One group can consist of men and women or a mixture of the Brahmin caste, Ksatrya, Wasya and Sudra.

3. Usaba Sumbu

Sumbu means an axis. An axis to get closer to God. Usaba sumbu is held to welcome God (Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa) by putting a decorated straight pole (sumbu). The interesting thing about usaba sumbu is during the process of standing the sumbu (nyujukan). The sumbu stands in free space of the temple and the young woman who get responsible at the time (ayahan) enter the base of the sumbu. And then the sumbu is rotated by the young men. This ritual is like the story of rotating the Mandara Giri mountain. Here is the video of usaba sumbu. 

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4. Rejang Dehe Dance

Rejang dehe dance is a dance which is created by the elders of Asak village for safety and peace of Asak village. This dance can only be performed by women who have been periods and are not married. The rejang dehe dance is performed during usaba kasa, kuningan day and the sixth holy day. The interesting thing about rejang dehe dance is the clothing and dance movements. Here is the video of rejang dehe dance. 

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Besides that, Asak village also has thousands of hectares of rice fields. You will be amazed by the beauty of the rice fields. It is cultivated by villagers and apply the subak system (a local Balinese agricultural management system that is recognized by UNESCO).

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    Tourists can take some pictures with natural and ancient temple background and watch the ancient religious activities and cultures in Asak tourism village. The Asak tourism village is free of charge for tourists who want to visit. But tourists must pay attention to the norms, such as:

1. Maintaining the cleanliness of the village by not littering.
2. Do not enter the holy areas, without the approval from priests or mangku.
3. For women who get menstruation, it is prohibited to enter the holy areas.
4. Respect the local culture by not sitting or climbing on spiritual monuments.

For more information about Asak tourism village, you can ask through phone call on 0812-3808-030 (Balai Sabe Desa Adat Asak).