Rice is one of the world's important food crops. Rice cultivation in Bali has long history trough a unique irrigation method (subak) and can still be enjoyed today. Rice and paddy cultivation have become an integral part of Balinese culture.
There are several rituals that accompany each stage, such as: when entering water (mapag toya), land preparation, planting, harvesting, and more. This is usually done in a temporary small temple in the upper part of the rice field and also in the water temple.
This ritual is dedicated to Dewi Sri, the goddess who is usually associated with rice, paddy, rice fields, fertility, prosperity and sustenance. After drying, the harvest is stored in the barn, also involving rituals.
Rice harvesting activities are called "manyi", and traditional tools commonly used by farmers to manyi are called "ani-ani" or "ketam" or "anggapan". This is a small knife attached to the wood with a unique shape as the handle. With this, the stalks are cut one by one so that the unripe grains are not cut off.
The farmers believe that Dewi Sri has a soft and gentle soul. As the embodiment of the goddess, the rice to be harvested should be treated with respect and softness, not cut roughly but one by one.
Paddy Harvest Season
Bali has a rolling crop cycle; there are several planting and harvesting seasons in a year. The rice fields can be newly planted while in other parts are harvested, or are being irrigated so that they appear to have reflections of light, like a mirror.
This is adjusted to the subak rules. In some locations the planting season can take place from October to December. With an average harvest time of 115 days after planting (3.5 - 4 months) it is estimated that the harvest will be around February to April.
But in other locations it can be different; it can be faster (less than 3 months) with harvest time from January to March. It can also be slower (up to 5 months or more) with the time of planting in January and harvesting in June to July.
Harvest time can differ according to a number of reasons, such as: schedules and rules for using water for irrigation, types of seeds that must adapt to local conditions, local culture and rituals, and others.
It becomes difficult to estimate the exact harvest season, especially for visitors who want to see firsthand the beauty of the panorama during the harvest season with the appearance of beautiful, yellow rice grains like gold.
The best idea is that you ask directly at the hotel or resort where you will stay. This can provide an overview of the cropping cycle and rice harvest around their location.
Paddy and Subak in Bali
Even though harvest time is difficult to determine and not uniform, it is precisely where the beauty is. We can still find rice cultivation even at a certain altitude, especially on steep slopes and hills. This condition is actually difficult to grow rice related to land contours, irrigation, water sources, etc.
Contours must be arranged in such a way, terraces, and irrigation channels that sometimes surround the hill. If this is not possible, water tunnels must be made to the tapped water sources.
As in Jatiluwih (Subak Landscape of Catur Angga Baturkaru) with red rice varieties, although long-lived (6 months or more), the beautiful rice terraces on slopes and hills is truly extraordinary. This system can last a very long, soil fertility is maintained, a little pest, organic and so efficient in water use.
Planting and irrigation schedules in the rice fields are fully regulated by subak. This is a traditional system in Bali related to rice cultivation with its water temple system. The subak system dates back to at least the 9th century.
The subak system is mentioned in several inscriptions such as: Sukawana Inscription (882 AD), Bebetin Inscription (896 AD), Batuan Inscription (1022 AD), Tengkulak Inscription (1023 AD), and Pandak Badung Inscription (1071 AD), and Raja Purana Klungkung Inscription (1072 AD).
Subak is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site on July 6, 2012; consist of Supreme Water Temple Ulun Danu Batur and Lake Batur Temple, Pakerisan Watershed Subak Landscape, Subak Landscape of Catur Angga Baturkaru, and Royal Temple of Taman Ayun. This affirms the extraordinary universal value of cultural or natural property, which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity.
Reference
- google.co.id
- wikipedia.org _ Subak (irrigation) _ on August 26, 2018
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subak_(irrigation) - Image : Original Collection
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