Bamboo sales soar as Galungan nears

As the Balinese prepare to celebrate their spiritual triumph in the Hindu holiday of Galungan on Wednesday, bamboo merchants celebrate another kind of victory -- high sales and good profits.

Many bamboo merchants in Denpasar reported high sales in the days leading to Galungan, when Hindu worshippers celebrate the victory of dharma (virtue) over adharma (vices) by erecting elaborately decorated penjor bamboo poles in front of their homes.

"The earnings I've gotten from this year's bamboo sales have gone up about 20 percent to 30 percent over last year's Galungan," said Made Reda, a bamboo merchant on Jl. Kenyeri in Denpasar, on Tuesday.

Reda attributed the high sales to more Balinese simply getting better connected to their religion.

"That makes me feel good too, because I'm helping my fellow Hindus celebrate Galungan," he said.

Reda, who has been selling bamboo for 13 years, said he had sold about 1,500 bamboo pieces since Saturday, up from the 25 to 100 he can expect on normal days. His sales of janur (young palm leaves) and rice paddies bouquets have also increased.

Reda's bamboos come from areas outside Denpasar, like Gianyar and Klungkung, while the janur come from Java.

"Because it's hard to find janur or bamboo in Denpasar anymore," he said.

He said his bamboo go for Rp 15,000 (US$1.60) apiece, while his other decorative items cost between Rp 13,000 and Rp 35,000, a slight increase compared to last year due to the high cost of fuel.

"But that has not stopped people from celebrating Galungan, apparently. In fact, it's great that more people are buying Galungan decorations," he said.

Ngakan Putu Jendra, another bamboo merchant, said he had sold about 1,000 bamboo pieces since Sunday. His bamboo and other decorative items go for between Rp 12,000 and Rp 25,000. Jendra, who studied to be a teacher, said he enjoyed selling bamboo because it gave him a chance to help Hinduism flourish.

"We do what we do because it is part of our blessing. We can only give what we have received," he said.

Galungan, which occurs every 210 days and lasts for 10 days, ending on a day called Kuningan, is one of the most important recurring religious festivals in Balinese Hinduism. During the festival the deified ancestors descend to their former homes. The ancestors must be suitably entertained and welcomed with prayers and offerings.

According to Balinese mythology, Galungan is a celebration of the victory of Lord Indra and his heavenly army over Maya Denawa, the atheistic ruler of ancient Bali.

The days leading to Galungan see Balinese men prepare pigs or chicken as sacrifices, while inside the homes women can be seen making cakes and preparing fruits and flowers for offerings.

On Tuesday, Balinese men erected the penjor next to the front gates of their houses. The sight of the arching bamboos flanking the island's streets enhanced the festive spirit brought on by the religious festival.