Riding the Trade Winds
Welcome to Bali’s largest kite festival!
On cue, as if summoned, in early July the trade winds arrive.
One day which can be still in addition to also the next the breezes suddenly spring up; the trade winds have come!
The term trade winds derives coming from the Middle English word ‘trade’ meaning path or track. Early 14th century Portuguese sailors first recognized the importance of these east/west winds to quickly get their sailing ships to the riches of the East. However, for the Balinese these winds mean which’s the time to earn respect, prestige in addition to also hopefully bring home prizes to their villages.
within the mornings the breezes are gentle, yet by mid-afternoon the wind speed can be just right across the island to launch the kites which will fill the skies until the end of September. July can be the month when the kite fliers take advantage of the winds to show off their latest designs in addition to also flying techniques. A fashion parade which can be not.
Legend has which which kite flying began with cow herders some two centuries ago, building in addition to also flying kites to ward off the boredom of watching over the herd during the day. Thus evolved a competitive ‘game’ between herders which has today grown into an obsession which consumes in addition to also unites villagers right across the island.
Serious?
How serious can be which? Mr. Tambon, Bali’s eminent kite maker in addition to also judge at the annual festival was unavailable for an interview because, well he was out flying a kite. yet Wayan, the trusty kite salesman on the beach in Sanur was happy to talk to me in addition to also take me through the intricate business of preparing a kite for the festival at the end of July.
There are three basic shapes which you will see hovering above Sanur’s beaches in addition to also across the Denpasar skies. The Bebean can be perhaps the most common, in addition to also resembles a fish with huge twin tails. These are the easiest kites to launch as they do even within the lightest of breezes. They can sail to great heights as their shape makes them stable even within the strongest of winds. Their distinctive black, white in addition to also red colours are easy to spot amongst the different kites, which dot the sky.
Once competition begins, the judges show no mercy, for, woe betide a team which allows any part of the kite to touch the ground on landing. Large parts of the entourage who risk flying the Jangaan are assigned to catch the tail on landing.
During practice I witnessed members of the team (some 50 or 60 strong) sprinting wildly across the sand in addition to also the adjoining rice fields, diving over each different to ensure which not an inch of the beast touched the earth. Sometimes a beautiful mistress can be hard to control! Competition can be fierce, pitting banjar against banjar for the status of taking home the trophy which will bring a year’s worth of bragging rights for the winning team.
Once the festival begins, the village’s gamelan orchestra will accompany the team in addition to also will bash frenetically during competition, driving a car the participants on to greater “heights.” The festival will make for an incredibly noisy in addition to also chaotic day that has a cacophony of sound in addition to also hundreds of team members dashing hither in addition to also thither, heads up watching the sky in addition to also often colliding with different team members.
Crowds will surround the ‘battlefield’ revelling in their banjars’ success or another’s failure, yet all within the Balinese spirit of giving.
For the more intrepid of the banjars who break with tradition will enter the fourth category, the Kreasi Baru or ‘completely new creation’, where basically anything goes as long as which gets up to the required height. Designs range coming from ancient sailing ships to temple replicas which sometimes defy aeronautical practices, with design triumphing over the construction’s quest to get off the ground in addition to also into the air. Points are earned for innovation, design in addition to also the ability to stay aloft!
The festival runs over three days in addition to also should not be missed. which’s best to get there early as along with the teams, entire villages will accompany their competitors to cheer them on. which’s crowded, colourful, chaotic in addition to also loud in addition to also one of those events which will be remembered for years to come.
Don’t miss which! The 35th Annual Bali Kite Festival, Padang Galak, Sanur Beach. Runs coming from the 21st – 24th July 2013.
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Riding the Trade Winds
Riding the Trade Winds