Tenganan Pegringsingan has its unique Bali Aga culture that still holds to the original traditions

                         

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You must buy a ticket before you can enter the village

Tenganan Pegringsingan is a village in the regency of Karangasem in Bali

Before the 1970s was known by anthropologists to be one of the

most secluded societies of the archipelago

Rapid changes have occurred in the village since the 70's, such as the development of local communications by the central government, the opening up to tourism,

the breaking of the endogamic rules

Tourists are attracted to Tenganan by its unique Bali Aga culture that still holds to

the original traditions, ceremonies and rules of ancient Balinese,

and its unique village layout and architecture

 It is known for its Gamelan selonding music and geringsing double ikat textiles

The people of Tenganan Pegringsingan were selected by the god Indra to administer a territory that was conceived, in accordance with his divine plan

to be a microcosm of the world

They were instructed to use every means to keep it pure and clean, the concept of territorial, bodily and spiritual purity and integrity is of

paramount importance in this village

Houses in Tenganan Pegringsingan village are built on either side of the north to the south concourse with their doors opening on to it

The entrances of the houses are narrow, only allowing one person to enter

or leave at any one time

One enters the village through the gate on the southern end

On either side of the entrance are two small temples

Across from these is the long balé agung, where the administrative decisions

for the village are made

Up the center are a series of communal pavilions (balé banjar) for formal and informal meetings, ceremonial gatherings and cockfighting

At the northern end is the village temple Pura Puseh, the temple of origin

The people of Tenganan Pegringsingan are called Bali Aga—the original Balinese

They descend from the pre-Majapahit kingdom of Pegeng

There are strict rules as to who is allowed to live in the village

Only those born in the village can stay in the village and become

full members of the community

There are rules regarding marriage and anyone who marries outside

of the village has to leave

A strict protocol regarding marriages among the kin groups have steered the Tengananese through the genetic perils of intermarriage although with increasing contact with the outside world these rules have relaxed somewhat

Many of the life-cycle rituals of the Tengananes are similar to those of the Balinese in general, but have subtle differences and some ceremonies are unique

One of the distinguishing features is the use of geringsing

By virtue of their magical qualities geringsing are not only capable of keeping impurities and danger out of the village, but also shield and protect humans from baleful influences during rites of passage as they transition from one phase of life to the next

The Tengananese receive their first geringsing at the hair cutting ritual

His hair is cut and placed in a basket which is placed on a folded geringsing on the balé tengah, on which the Tegananese both enters and leaves the world

In the ceremony that admits a boy or girl to the youth association of the village, they are carried in a geringsing cloth on their father's right shoulder

In the concluding ceremony of teruna nyoma which is the initiation, the candidates wear a geringsing and bear a keris, for the tooth filing ceremony, an essential rite of passage for all Balinese Hindu, the participants pillow is covered by geringsing

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