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Flying kites with environmental, cultural messages
The flying of kites has strong cultural and religious significance in Balinese life
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T
he flying of kites has strong cultural and religious significance in Balinese life.
Between July and August, as strong winds blow following the rice harvest and fields are left idle before the next planting period, the Balinese fly their kites.
The kite appears in Balinese mythology with the god Shiva, one of the main manifestations of the Supreme God, believed to be fond of kite flying.
His manifestation as Rare Angon is regarded as the God of Kites.Marking the 14th Bali Hyatt Annual Kite Competition this year, all departments at the resort hotel participated in a modern and traditional kite creation competition Wednesday.
The eight teams showcased their kite-flying abilities under a warm Balinese sun on Sanur Beach.
The competition, which drew a crowd of guests, was kicked off by a parade from Telaga Naga Restaurant to the beachfront, with each team presenting cultural performances about the stories behind their kites.
The competition began late last month at a blessing ceremony in the Temple Garden, followed by a Balinese dance requesting divine guidance and blessing.
Kite creators from each department took turns on their oeuvres in the Temple Garden until last Friday.
“This year’s competition had the theme ‘Save the Environment’, so participants brought green ideas combined with cultural messages to their kite creation,” Bali Hyatt public relations manager Meutia Mahardhika said. Judges of the competition were in-house guests, hotel management and travel agents, she added.
The Banana Tree kite by the resort’s landscaping team won the competition, followed by the Bee kite by the housekeeping and laundry department.
The Dewi Sri (rice goddess) kite created by the front office and sales department placed third.
“The Dewi Sri kite illustrated that the goddess takes care of water and land, the sources of our lives,” Meutia said.
Other teams featured various kite creations, including Save the Earth, the Kingfisher bird, the Giant Octopus, the Marlin and the Kensulasih (a beautiful fairy from a Balinese epic).
— JP/ Desy Nurhayati
