When July rolls around in Bali, the picturesque clear blue skies become a canvas adorned with a myriad of colourful kites. This is the Bali Kite Festival, one of the most renowned international festivals in Indonesia that celebrates the island’s culture and tradition.
This Bali festival attracts artists, communities, professionals, and kite enthusiasts from around the world, turning the island into a mesmerising display of creativity and skill. In this article, we invite you to take a closer look at the Bali Kite Festival and discover what makes it such a cherished event.
The Bali Kites Tradition
In Balinese culture, flying kites is an age-old tradition deeply intertwined with gratitude and spirituality. After the harvest season, Balinese people joyfully launch their kites to the skies. This serves as both an expression of gratitude to the gods for the bountiful harvest and a heartfelt way to seek their blessings. Over time, this tradition has evolved into the grand spectacle known today as the Bali Kite Festival.
Typically, Balinese kites come in various shapes, sizes, and vibrant colours. Among these, the most prevalent colours used in this Bali festival are white, red, black, and yellow, each representing the Balinese Hindu Trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Red signifies Brahma, the creator of the universe; white embodies Vishnu, the protector, and black represents Shiva, the destroyer. Additionally, the inclusion of yellow pays homage to the Dewata Nawa Sanga, symbolising the eight gods who guard the eight directions.
The Bali Kite Festival
Taking place annually around July, the Bali Kite Festival kicks off as the strong winds sweep across the island. This international event attracts hundreds of teams from both local and international communities, including East Java, Yogyakarta, South Kalimantan, and Lampung, as well as participants from Japan, the Philippines, Australia, Poland, Sweden, and more.
Each participating team typically comprises 70-80 members who take on roles as flag bearers, kite flyers, and gamelan players that add a rich cultural touch to this Bali festival. Together, they collaborate to assemble and launch the most remarkable kite to win the grand prize of substantial monetary rewards.
Kite Competitions
The Bali Kite Festival is not just a visual feast but a battleground for kite competitions. This event offers a variety of categories for kite competitions, ranging from new creations to traditional Balinese kites.
Teams in the “new creation” category compete to craft unique and creative kites, often featuring intricate three-dimensional figures and unconventional designs, such as Hindu gods, cartoon characters, superheroes, cars, motorcycles, animals, and even corporate brand sponsors.
On the other hand, the “traditional Balinese kites” category comes in three distinct subcategories: Bebean, Janggan, and Pecukan. The Bebean kite, resembling a fish, stands out as the largest among them, while the Janggan, shaped like a bird, boasts a remarkable tail extending over 100 metres. Among these traditional kites, the Pecukan requires the most skilled fliers due to its challenging and unstable form, often requiring more than ten expert kite fliers to handle.
Winners in each category are awarded for their achievements in various areas, including ‘best launch,’ ‘best design,’ and ‘longest flight.’ These accomplished participants are rewarded with enticing cash prizes. Therefore, to ensure the kites soar successfully, bamboo and lightweight fabrics in various colours are used in their construction. Rather than string, a sturdy rope is employed for navigation to prevent breakage during flight.
Venue and Date
As of the time this article was written, the government had yet to announce the exact date for the 2024 Bali Kite Festival. However, historically, this Bali festival typically commences in July each year at Padang Galak Beach, Sanur, Denpasar City. If you live in Bali or intend to visit during this period, it is advisable to secure accommodation promptly to ensure you can fully immerse yourself in this unforgettable experience.
