Agung update

The situation in Karangasem, where most of the children being assisted by ADI Rare Bhuana are located, remains grim. Alert levels for an eruption of Mount Agung remain at ‘imminent’. The children are safe, and only those from villages in the danger zone have been evacuated, but they could be away from their homes and school for some time yet.

Volcanic activity continues, with up to 500 tremors each day being recorded and yesterday a plume up to 1500 metres was seen, although this is not an eruption.

Image from Bali Mount Agung Evacuees Facebook page:

The waiting seems to be suspending time and must be excruciating for all those who have been displaced. The uncertainty must be taking a psychological toll.

We will continue to keep you informed, but for some excellent insights from the field, Ubud photographer and writer Rio Helmi has been updating his Ubud Now & Then site with six reports to date.

More details of how you can help ADI Rare Bhuana’s work in Karangasem and elsewhere in Bali very soon, or please make contact through this site.

Under the volcano

You will have heard that Gunung Agung is angry. For the past week, seismic activity has risen to the extent that the warning level is now 4 – eruption imminent. The increase is dramatically evident on this graphic.

All is quiet – almost eerily quiet here in Ubud. The skies are overcast and there are regular tremors of varying intensity.

But more importantly, concern is for Karangasem where most of ADI Rare Bhuana’s families are located. This region suffered the most in the eruption of 1963 and again is in most danger when / if this expected eruption occurs. Everybody is praying and hoping that the mountain will settle but evacuations of at least 10,000 people have begun and collections of donated goods are being distributed.

At this stage we can’t give specific news from Karangasem, but Rio Helmi, Ubud photographer, gives a flavour of the situation in two posts on his excellent Ubud Now & Then site, here and here.

This picture of Mt Agung was taken on a Yayasan visit to Karangasem earlier on the year. More news when it is available.

 

 

 

Rahajeng Saraswati: Saraswati Day in Bali

Today is the day of Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and learning, and one of the most delightful days in the 210-day Balinese calendar. Children and young adults return to their schools to pay respect to their teachers. At one of ADI Rare Bhuana’s schools, elementary school SD2 Subagan in Karangasem, the children had a wonderful day.  Ibu Guri Komang Rina Yuliasmini, the teacher who coordinates with the Yayasan, has sent through some photos of the celebrations.

Tika has sent through this information about Saraswati and what happened yesterday and today and what will happen tomorrow. I’ve learned a lot from reading this:

Saraswati day

Knowledge is very important for Balinese. Today Balinese celebrate Saraswati day.  Every Saniscara, Umanis, WukuWatugunung, they celebrate Saraswati Day, the knowledge day. It is based on the Pawukon (Balinese calendar) system and the Saniscara (seven day cycle).

The name Saraswati came from “Saras” meaning flow and “wati” meaning a women. So, Saraswati is symbol of knowledge, its flow (or growth) is like a river and knowledge is very interesting, like a beautiful women.

Saraswati is the Goddess of Knowledge, symbolized by a beautiful woman with four hands, riding on a white swan among water lilies to tell humanity that science is like a beautiful woman. Her hands hold a palm leaf; a lontar, (a Balinese traditional book which is the source of science or knowledge); a chain (genitri with 108 pieces) symbolising that knowledge is never ending and has an everlasting life cycle; and a musical instrument (guitar or wina) symbolising that science develops through the growth of culture.

The swans symbolise prudence, so that one’s knowledge may distinguish between good and evil and the water lilies (Lotus) are symbols of holiness. The Lotus flower is the holiest for Balinese.

In the afternoon of Saraswati day we are not permitted to read or write the book because all the books are offered. In the evening, called Malam Sastra, people read books (especially religious books) in their houses or in the temple.

Pangredanan (the day before Saraswati)
This is the day of preparation. All the books and lontar are collected together, cleaned and dusted.

Saraswati Day
Saraswati day itself is celebrated by the Balinese people bringing offerings to their holy books and scrolls in their houses, while students celebrate it at school, usually in the morning, and the office-workers in their office. The philosophy of Saraswati day is that the most important thing for human life is knowledge.

Banyu Pinaruh
The day after Saraswati Day is Banyu Pinaruh day. “Banyu” means water and “Pinaruh” mean wisdom. In other words, we must have wisdom which always
flows like water and which is useful for human kind. We pray for Dewi Saraswati (manifestation of God) to give us cleverness and wisdom. The people usually take a bath in the sea or a lake or river and drink traditional medicine which is made from many various leaves which is very good for our health. The philosophy of Banyu Pinaruh day is the second most important thing for human life is good health.

In 210 days, it will all happen again. Happy Saraswati Day, children of ADI Rare Bhuana.

Pictures from an exhibition

It was packed upstairs at Mingle Cafe/Bar last night as Tika’s exhibition was officially opened. I don’t think anyone thought to count numbers, but it was cosy. Three paintings had been sold prior to the opening and another on the night, but there’s plenty of time to purchase as the exhibition runs through to the end of September.

The raffle raised IDR5.680.000 and was won by Ibu Elda Amalo, who wasn’t there on the night but the prize was accepted by one of her employees.

Much to everybody’s surprise, three further draws were made. The winners were treated to an on-the-spot portrait sketch from Gusti’s nephew Bagus Rai, an accomplished artist himself. Mr Bill, Dayu Uma and Kalandra Meiry were very happy with their unexpected gift.

Without much need for formality, Pak Edy made any necessary announcements and the evening became a very pleasant social Sunday night. Tika wishes to thank everybody concerned but particularly her young protegee Arisantika Dewa who spent hours with Tika pulling this exhibition together.

Thanks also go to Alison and the staff of Mingle Cafe/Bar for the venue and the food and Pak Edy for his short speech that reminded everybody of why we were there – the children of ADI Rare Bhuana.

Enjoy some more photos from a lovely night, one that also found one new sponsor for a child or young person in Karangasem.

And finally, thanks to Tika, for her hard work in creating this lovely exhibition. Two paintings now need to be packed and despatched – one to Singapore and one to Jakarta. Great work from everybody concerned.

Building an exhibition

Yesterday Tika, Gusti, Bawa and Alison put in the hard yards to mount the exhibition at Mingle Cafe/Bar. No doubt lots of Mingle’s excellent coffee during the work, and maybe an espresso martini or two afterwards as a reward for a job well done.

Don’t forget. Sunday, 5pm onwards. Fundraising for the children.