putueka photography

Perang Pandan was held every year as a Balinese ritual at Tenganan Pegringsingan, Manggis, Karangasem Regency, Bali. Literally meaning “pandan war”, perang pandan is a man-to-man, or child-to-child battle using a thorny pandan (wild screwpine) leaves bunched into a club, with only a perisai or woven bamboo shield as protection

they start the ritual day with pray to the God, makes satay, and cook the meat

they also makes some suckling pig for the ritual

in the other hands, the kids play with their friend

Bantens are then prepared for the ritual

in the afternoon, they take the pandan to the middle of the Perang Pandan Arena

set up the gamelan (traditional music instrument)

last minute before Perang Pandan start, they distributing Tuak (made from natural ingredient by tapping the flower of coconut tree). Tuak is not the same like arak (local vodka made from traditional ingredients). The taste of tuak is smoother than arak.

Ladies and Gentlemen…
Lets the Perang Pandan Begins……

when while the battle is ongoing, some of people are tighting “pandan” outside the arena

the others still fight inside the arena

There are no declaration of winners or losers.
in the end of the fight, they sit together for eat the food and to cure their wound using traditional medicine