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‘Five shots a day’? Bali celebrates fi rst Arak Day

“I can have five shots of the mix every day, and I never get drunk. It’s good for our bodies,” Bali Governor I Wayan Koster said.

Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post)

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Nusa Dua, Bali

Wed, February 1, 2023 Published on Jan. 31, 2023 Published on 2023-01-31T17:28:14+07:00

B

ali celebrated Arak Bali Day for the first time on Sunday with an event in Nusa Dua promoting the traditional liquor distilled from the sap or fruit of palm trees.

“Through this Arak Bali Day celebration, I urge Bali people to utilize arak for proper reasons such as for traditional rituals, health and culinary applications. It is firmly banned to drink arak to get drunk and ruin your health,” said Bali Governor I Wayan Koster in December, when he announced that Arak Bali Day would be held.

The event featured arak-related celebrations involving Bali officials, hoteliers, entrepreneurs, farmers and club owners across Bali.

Made with nira (flower extract) of coconut or sugar palm, arak is fermented and distilled by craftsmen in many villages across the island.

The distinctive liquor has been a part of Balinese life for hundreds of years. It is present at religious ceremonies, imbibed at celebrations and sneaked into public entertainment events, which these days include beach clubs and concerts.

Incidents of public intoxication, alcohol poisoning and even death due to improperly prepared arak have made it somewhat infamous, especially among tourists.