Suwat Water Festival, Bali’s water war to glorify nature

GIANYAR, mybalinews.com – Wearing Balinese traditional attire, scores of people began a Balinese Hindus ritual at intersection in Suwat Village, a small village in Gianyar, Bali on Wednesday (1/1).

After the ritual, the holy water from the ritual was pour into the water tank of four fire trucks, as well in several giant jars which already contained water.

It’s aimed to spiritually purify the waters in the fire truck and the giant jar, which will be used for ‘water war’.

As the water war started, hundreds of local residents, consisting of men, women and children, immediately threw the waters at each other with ladles.

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The beat of the Baleganjur gamelan, Balinese traditional music instrument, spurred enthusiasm, made the atmosphere lively and festive.

All residents were wet, rejoicing in giving thanks for the blessings bestowed on the village. In the midst of hundreds of residents, a number of foreign tourists also enlivened the event.

The water war, or called in Balinese language as Siat Yeh, was part of The Suwat Water Festival. The annual festival has been held for 10th. Its excitement confirmed the existence of Suwat Tourism Village as a leading destination in Gianyar.

The water war is a form of gratitude from residents for the abundance of water that provides prosperity for residents.

For Suwat villagers, water is not only for survival, but also for tourist attractions that provide income for the traditional village.

“We continue to pray that the results of the village’s efforts will increase so that the benefits received by the community will also increase. This festival is part of the process towards shared prosperity,” said Jro Bendesa Adat Suwat, Ngakan Putu Sudibya, Wednesday (1/1).

Before the water war begins, every year a creative space is given to artists. This year it began with the performance of the Amerta Jiwa Dance.

“Water as a source of life”. This work is a representation of glorifying nature,” said choreographer I Gede Gusman Adhi Gunawan from the Gumiart Art Studio. ( mybalinews/IST/ERV )