Shopping is pure pleasure at Tenganan Village, where traditionalism and culture are offered at unique shop houses complete with an old Balinese atmosphere – a truly unique retail experience.
“A must buy in Tenganan is the village’s famous Geringsing double ikat cloths, a rare textile and an heirloom as well as cultural legacy of this old Balinese village.”
Tenganan Village near Candidasa is one of the must-see attractions on the island, a place that rejects the modernity Bali currently sees and continues to still embrace rural life as it was centuries ago. Passing the gate and into the village, you’ll notice the villagers tending to their souvenirs stalls, or sitting by the door of their homes, welcoming visitors to step inside and have a look at their humble store inside.
Displayed on the stalls here are calendars, scripted on lontar leaves and decorated with Balinese letters and characters from the Hindu tales. Painted wooden eggs and ata and wicker weavings (baskets and bags) are also popular Tenganan items. Both the ata baskets and bags are so sturdy, they’re said to last 100 years. They’re made from a vine collected from the hills behind the village.
Of course, a must buy at Tenganan is the village’s famous Geringsing double ikat cloths, a rare textile and an heirloom as well as a cultural legacy of this old Bali village. It could take months to produce even just for a short length of Geringsing, for it requires intricate, detailed weavings and dying processes. The dyes are sourced from various indigenous tree barks, plants and herbs. You can find several types of Geringsing here, some are believed to have mystical powers.
