an essential perk to why i volunteer

Gede- Dedik and Ketut's most adorable munchkin

 
 Getting to meet new people, interesting people; devoted to what they doing.....and becoming a small part of that.


Dedik , the ethnomusicologist that I have mentioned previously lives in Bunutan (a small village 5k outside of Ubud).
I met him through Jantuk , the driver who initially picked me up from the airport the very first day in Bali.  He kept telling me that I could come to his village and help the kids there.
I was reasonably interested, but I wanted to explore other connections; especially with Threads of Life to reestablish my love of textiles. I volunteered with TOL until January, then Diandra arrived. Months later, after dropping Diandra off at the airport (which was frankly, quite emotional and worrisome) Jantuk phoned Dedik and we met him in another village,
Batublah (yep that's the name.... don't you love it?) where Dedik was meeting with a master drum maker.
We immediately had a fine rapport and that is when i found out that he had taught gamelan at BARD!  Having had/made the opportunity to come and study in the US, he is at this time still completing his PHD.  9 years of study..... and the money runs out.... so he moves back to his village with his wife, Ketut (an amazing classical dancer/teacher) and their little boy Gede.  Meanwhile his list of credentials is long..... but what does he want to do??????????? He wants to give back to the students in his own village and enable them to have opportunities that he feels are slipping away.  The insidious gambling in the village (cock fighting) , rampant tourism, globalization and general lack of parental support for guidance with educational opportunities  all contribute to an unhealthy environment for kids.  He and his wife begin an after school enrichment program for kids 7-17 to learn ,really learn and study traditional dance + gamelan  and a whole lot more by providing resources  at their center.    He has a wonderful big vision and no capital.  This is where I come in:
 We put our heads together.I lead him through a set of  "capacity building" conversations.  We identify his strengths, his contacts, possible partnerships, ..... all leading to funding possibilities.
Dedik has such passion and experience with teaching that we will expand this by garnering students worldwide.  He will create a "world music" immersion course with a master teacher; cultural immersion in Bunutan for music students in the US  (and other countries).  He has done this before but we are attempting a  formal partnership with another school in San Diego for student credit. Part of this income will be a dedicated income stream for the Bunutan after school center. We crafted letters, mission statements, and budgets.   But, enough about this.......... because the best part is that i get to watch the kids practice dance, gamelan and give performances.
WOWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
The absolute Best (Jerry).
(these are rehearsal photos: the photos from the performance given last month in their banjar in front of the entire village will be posted later: that evening was one of the most electrifying and exciting experiences... ..... the village of Bunutan is something special!)
*if you know of anyone who could benefit from this musical experience, or if you would like to contribute financially to this program please let me know.

Ketut, dancer extraordinaire (Dedik's wife) instructing the oldest members

 After this rehearsal I spent a monsoon soaked evening listening to the men's gamelan  practice: Dedik is the musical leader. (drummer){although he plays all instruments}

                                                                           
                                                   

travelin' woman

Ogoh-Ogoh

Bali prepares for Nyepi!  New Year's Day arrives on March 5.
The day before there is a big parade of Ogoh- Ogoh, larger than life fantastical demons created by each banjar (individual village), or even family compounds.
  Creativity Unleashed.  I have been watching  little boys for weeks collect wood for the initial structures.

As I have been traveling around, I or Jantuk will catch sight of one, we screetch to a halt and jump out to admire with oooohs and ahhhhs and photograph them at whatever stage of progress they are at present.  The kids come after school and work on them..... so between 3- sundown it is a behive of activity.  BUT< only Boys make Ogoh-Ogoh.  I  have tried to gain an understanding regarding this..... but everyone seems pretty intransigent with this gender specific role.

Nyepi is a day of silence.  The airport shuts down.  No electricity, no food,no leaving the house..... Nada.  If a tourist leaves their hotel they are asked to respect the Balinese tradition.  It is a day of reflection, similar to Yom Kippur.
As far as I can glean...... it is the only day the Balinese are not social, continually laughing, joking and convivial. 

cockfighting right in the banjar, next to ogoh-ogoh making

The ogoh-ogoh represent the demons that they want to "bypass" Bali.  If the Balinese are silent, the demons will find an "uninhabited" island and not land as they fly over.

right outside Honeymoon 2

Jalan Bisma- they are in the throes

The day before, they form a parade of the ogoh-ogoh, lots of chaos and merry- making.  They want to "confuse" the ogoh-ogoh and send their spirits flying away.  Then there is a huge bonfire setting aflame the demons.

In Bunutan, Jantuk's family compound

that's Putu, his eldest and his cousins

Jantuk's uncle is creating the mask; he's a carver

What a tradition!  Another example of why I love Bali and the Balinese.  The richness of their culture reigns, and I feel so grateful that it is as rich still, so strong amidst the onslaught of tourism and globalization.  I am also grateful
to have the opportunity to live here as I have.
Amen.
travelin' woman