Perang Pandan or it is locally in Tenganan Pegeringsingan known as “mekare-karean” as a part of the Ngusaba Ceremony. Perang Pandan means Pandanous War, this is a ceremonial fight as well. These duel among a group of men each armed with two pieces of thorny pandanous leaves and plated rattan as the armor as part of the rituals along noon while the maidens praying in village’s temple. This festival usually takes place in relation to the celebration of “Sasih Kelima” or the fifth Balinese’s month or usually in the full moon period on the month of June.
As one of an ancient village in Bali, Tenganan Pegeringsingan is identical with religious activities. Many temple festivals performed in this village that attract visitors to come.
Tenganan Pegeringsingan is situated at Manggis district, approximately 65 km from Denpasar (the International Airport of Bali). It is near Candidasa and can be easily reached by public or private vehicles.
Tenganan is one of several ancient villages in Bali, which is usually called “Bali Aga”. There are some versions of story telling us the history of Tenganan village. Some say that the word Tenganan was derived from the word “tengah” or “ngatengahang” which means “move to the inner area”. This derivation of word was having a relation with the movement of the villagers from the seaside to a rural area, in which the position of this village is in the middle of hills, that are western hill (Bukit Kauh) and eastern hill (Bukit Kangin).
Another version reveals that the people of Tenganan came from Peneges village, located in Gianyar, precisely near Bedahulu. Based on the folklore, once upon a time Bedahulu King lost one of his horses. The people looked for it to the east and the horse was finally found dead by Ki Patih Tunjung Biru, the King’s right hand. For his loyalty, the King finally gave Ki Patih Tunjung Biru an authority to govern the land as far as the aroma of the carrion of the horse can be smelled. Ki Patih was an intelligent person, so he cut the carrion into pieces and spread it as far as he could. Thus he received a quite large area.
The word Pegeringsingan was taken from the word “geringsing”. Geringsing is a traditional woven product that can only be found in Tenganan. Geringsing is noticed to be sacred for the belief that it has a magical power to drive away the evil or the black magic. Geringsing derived from the word “gering” means decease and “sing” means “no”. Many other uniqueness of custom and culture can be found here that make Tenganan worth to visit.
