Cover photo: Raden Wardana/AFP
If anyone has a chance to visit Bali. Indonesia You must have seen two things popping up everywhere to recognize them. The first is the flower basket called canang sari which is placed in different places. Including along the surface of various roads. The second is the black and white checkered zebra loincloth traditionally worn by Balinese people. Including using it to decorate various objects and places. Whether it is wrapped around house gates, in temples, statues, trees, or used as a flag to decorate roads, etc., this black and white apron can be said to be completely unique in Bali. Visitors will be able to see this apron in every corner of Bali. An apron is called “bowling cloth” in Pali language, and “bu ling” literally means a checkerboard or checkerboard pattern that has a balanced appearance. It's the same channel. Many people may wonder why Bu Leung is used to tie and wrap around statues, trees and places of worship among the Balinese.
The philosophy behind Bo Ling's canvas: Roa Bhinida concept, Trihitakarana philosophy And Trimurti on my mind
Bali has a population of approximately 4.3 million people, 90% of whom are Balinese, with the second largest group being Javanese, approximately 5%. Bali's population is 91.97% Hindu, and it is the province with the largest Hindu population in Indonesia. Indonesia is made up of about 1.7% Hindus, and Hinduism is one of the country's six religions (Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism), reflecting the country's tolerance for diversity. Pu Ling fabric, which is very popular in Bali and has become a symbol of Bali, has a philosophy based on Hinduism.
Rua Pineda
The word “Rua Bhinda” means “two different things” or “two things in conflict”, and the concept of Rwa Bhinda in Bali reflects a philosophy and worldview deeply rooted in Balinese culture. Which holds that the world is balanced by pairs of things that are different but cannot be separated. If there is a yin and yang in the Chinese worldview for the Balinese people, it is the concept of rua penida. The black and white in the grid on the cloth means opposite sides, such as left and right, up and down, white and black, good and evil, right and wrong, clean and dirty. Day, night, etc., which reflects the natural balance of things in this world. If there is a statue or tree wrapped in a cloth, this means that the statue or tree maintains the balance of the world so that the world can function normally.
Trihitakarana philosophy
The basic philosophy of Hinduism, the main religion of the people of Bali, is Tri Hita Karana, which comes from three causes of human happiness. This is human happiness that comes from the harmonious relationship between man and God. Between man and nature and between his fellow human beings and human beings must maintain a balance between these three relationships. Then humans will be happy. Big trees like the banyan tree are also included in the description of the relationship between man and nature, so we will see big trees in Bali associated with Bu Lang. It reflects reverence for human nature.
Trimurti
The meaning of the Pu Ling tapestry is also consistent with the teachings of the Trimurti, i.e. the white color is a symbol of Lord Shiva as the melting pot. The black part symbolizes Lord Vishnu as a protector. Both of these can be interpreted to mean that humans must maintain balance in order to live in peace and harmony. Especially maintaining balance with nature. If the Bu Ling cloth has three colors, the red color represents Brahma, the creator.
truly And Pho Leng's canvas isn't just black and white.
In addition to the black and white Po Leng that we usually see, there are also other colored Po Leng fabrics, such as the Sudhamala Po Leng and the Tridato Po Leng, both of which have different colors. The Sudhamala Po Leng is available in white, grey, and black. The middle area between white and black. This means that the world does not have only two sides. It also reflects intelligence. While the tridatu consists of black, red and white, these three colors represent Tridharma in Hinduism. The white color indicates Lord Shiva, whose nature is characterized by calm and wisdom. Red represents lively and active Brahma. The black part represents Vishnu. Some texts explain that Pha Po Leung tridatu refers to human characteristics. Red means strong, black means self-control. (Some say it means lazy and stupid.) White means smart and clever.
What is Po Leng cloth used today?
Nowadays, we still see people tying tartan around large trees. This is because using Bu Ling cloth is a sign of respect for what makes the human world black and white. Points out things that inspire you to cause harm to the world. According to the beliefs of the Balinese people, trees are the home of these sacred objects. Balinese people often pay tribute to trees. Including wrapping a piece of cloth around a large tree sends a signal not to cut down large trees. Or even by plucking leaves or other parts of the tree, byproducts can help maintain the tree and create a shady atmosphere.
In addition, Balinese people also like to tie bu lang at the door, gate or in the yard of the house. Which Balinese people believe is a shield to protect against evil energy, negative energy, or bad things from the outside that may harm or have a bad influence on family members. If someone sends evil energy into the house, the guardians protect the evil energy and return it to the person who sent it.
The po leung is also used as a security guard in the villages of Bali. Or it is called “Pekalang” (Pekalang) where the word Kalang means “beware” or “warning”. Pekalang also reflects the concept of Rua Penida. Those who can become Pekalang must be able to separate peace from chaos. It can separate good from evil. Intelligence can be separated from stupidity. Therefore, this task was entrusted to him.
Pergalang can be called the traditional police of Bali. Responsible for maintaining the village's overall safety and regularity in daily life. Including in various traditional and religious celebrations. When there is a religious ceremony we will see the Bergalang family members wearing the unique pu ling cloth, in addition the pu ling cloth is also a costume for shadow puppet dancers. Or the main characters in the shadow puppets include Semar, Gareng, Petruk and Bogong, who perform the Kecak dance at Wat U. Luwatu (Pura Uluwatu), popular among tourists, also wears a Po-leang. If used as clothing, the bu lyong is wrapped over the outer layer of the lower body after wearing the sarong or sarong. This is done by tying the piece of cloth at the waist in the form of a circle, and it must also be tied counterclockwise.
In the Purwakarta area, pu ling cloth is used, but it has a different meaning than before, that is, the black and white colors indicate air and water. This belief has its roots in the Sunda culture, which is similar to the Balinese culture. Sudanese living in the area use a handkerchief to cover their heads. It is similar to the way Balinese wear turbans, but called by a different name.
Beyond the surroundings of previous sacredness, Pu Ling fabric has also become a trend for the new generation who like to adapt it to wear in their daily life and decorate their homes such as using it as curtains, tablecloths and various places. Many hotels like to decorate their hotel rooms with Pho Leng fabrics, and in addition, Pho Leng clothing has become a popular souvenir from Bali that visitors buy to take home with them as well.
It is said that the use of cloth indicates the intelligence of the wearer or user. Because it reflects that the wearer can distinguish between good and evil, appropriate and inappropriate, right and wrong according to the meanings hidden in different types of pu liang cloth. Especially keeping the balance neither decreasing nor increasing in harmony with nature will bring happiness and peace to the person who wears or uses the cloth. If you, reader, have visited Bali. Try observing the Po Leng cloth and you may get a new perspective. And discover the philosophy hidden under the fabric
Writing information
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Lecturer in History, Thammasat University, teaches and is interested in the history of Southeast Asia. Indonesian History Indonesian Language Leftist Movement Democratic Development, Islam and Politics in Southeast Asia
Former art student experimenters and slaves love their thirst for new experiences.