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Kite
Bali's traditional kites, called "Layang Layang," are vibrant cultural symbols used for sport, art, and spiritual offerings, especially during the dry season (June-August) at events like the Bali Kite Festival. Made from bamboo, paper, or silk, these kites feature traditional shapes like the fish-like Bebean, the long-tailed dragon/bird Janggan, and the challenging leaf-shaped Pecukan, symbolizing gratitude to the gods for bountiful harvests and harmony, with teams competing for mastery.
This video shows the competitive side of kite flying in Bali:
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Key Aspects of Balinese Kites
- Spiritual Significance: Kites are messengers to the Hindu gods, carrying prayers for prosperity, good harvests (Rare Angon), and balance between worlds.
- Traditional Shapes:
- Bebean: Fish-shaped, symbolizing communal harmony.
- Janggan: Dragon/bird-shaped with very long tails (sometimes over 100m), representing prosperity and the divine.
- Pecukan: Leaf-shaped, considered the most difficult to fly, a sign of mastery.
- Colors: Red, white, black, and yellow are used, representing different Hindu deities or incarnations.
- Construction: Crafted from bamboo frames with paper or silk, often with a vibrating bow (ngur/guwang) that creates a humming sound.
- Community & Competition: Teams (Sekaa Layangan) work together, flying kites in rice fields or beaches during the windy dry season, competing in festivals.
When & Where to See Them
- Season: Best from June to August/September during the dry season when winds are strong.
- Festivals: Major events like the Bali Kite Festival happen in Sanur (Padanggalak Beach) during July-August.
How to Experience It
- Visit during the dry season to see mass kite flying.
- Attend the annual Bali Kite Festival for large-scale, competitive displays.
- Learn to make and fly your own kite, a cherished childhood activity.
- Balinese Kites - Spiritual and Beautiful - Layang LayangYoung and old love this Balinese Tradition. Sometime between June until September, Bali's usual clear blue skies will be decorated...Bali.com
- Bali Kite Festival - WikipediaThe Bebean is the largest kite, and looks like a broad-mouthed, split-tailed fish. The Janggan form has a broad flowing cloth tail...
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