Artisanal Bali

Fortunately we converted our transfer from Sanur to Ubud into a half-day tour with our man Abut, son of Darta, who owns the Rumah Roda where we will be staying in Ubud. He is the first actually friendly, jovial, talkative “guide” that we’ve met thusfar!

First, we learned about Indonesian names: For instance, Abut is his “name for calling” - his real name is Wayan. His wife’s name is also Wayan - and then they named their newborn son... Wayan! We read later that first-born males are called Wayan, Putu or Gede, second children have another name, third and fourth children too, then the fifth child is called Wayan Balik - Wayan again! Unreal! So pretty much everyone has a “name for calling” and if in doubt that Balinese dude is probably named Wayan!

Next, noting our interest in Balinese carvings, Abut took us en route to the Daging wood carvers in Sukawati, where we learned about the 10-year apprenticeship plus 10-year journeyman training that starts at around age 15, saw two unusual types of wood common in Bali - hibiscus with its distinctive green tone and crocodile wood with the bumpy bark that gives it its name. We also had a chance to watch the “masters” at work - so at least some Bali wood carving really is handmade!

Two other artisans that we came across in Ubud: Wayan the wood carver (who also does lessons) just sculpting masks by the side of the market road, and an old painter practicing his craft in the middle of the rice fields. Artisanal industries and craftwork seem to be a big part of local life in Bali, especially around Ubud and Sukawati.Read more