Indonesia is a country rich in customs and culture. Many unique and interesting things that we meet here. Indonesia consists of 34 provinces in which each province has its own customs and cultures that characterize the area.
Likewise with the customary clothing, in fact there are many custom clothes that exist in this country, considering there are many tribes in Indonesia. One of the indigenous clothing from Indonesia is Balinese traditional clothing.
Traditional Balinese clothing is generally worn only at the time of prayer by the Hindus in Bali. Nevertheless, in everyday activities not uncommon also find the people of Bali who wear this custom clothing. There is no special name of traditional clothing Bali Province. Therefore, when many outsiders ask about this, the people of Bali will generally be confused. They will only mention the customary clothing he wore with the name "Balinese traditional dress".
Balinese traditional dress has two types, namely the type or motif of clothing used by men, and the second type is custom clothing that is made with a design for the use of women. Below is an explanation of each type of Balinese traditional clothes for men and women.
1. Balinese Men's Traditional Clothes
In using traditional Balinese fashion begins with kamen. The folds of cloth / kamen (wastra) son circular from left to right because the man is the holder of dharma or truth. Male kamen's height is approximately an inch from the sole of the foot because the son in charge of the dharma must step in length. But must still see the place that dipijak is dharma. In the son using the kancut (lance) with a pointed tip and should touch the ground (sweeping the universe), the downward end as a symbol of respect for Mother Earth. Kancut is also a symbol of masculinity.
For prayer, we should not show our manliness, which means control, but when we are afraid of masculinity we may show. To close the virility then we cover with a saputan (campuh). The height of the cap is approximately one inch from the tip of the kamen. In addition to cover masculinity, saputan also serves as an enemy from outside. The cuff is circled counterclockwise (prasawya). Then proceed with using a small scarf (eg) that means we have controlled the bad things. At this time the human body has been divided into two, namely Butha Angga and Manusa Anga.
Use of bait is tied using a live node on the right as a symbol of emotional control and sharing. At the time of the son wearing the shirt, the bastard must be seen slightly for us at the moment any condition is ready to hold fast to the dharma. Then proceed with the use of clothes (kwaca) with the terms clean, neat and polite. Clothes on custom clothing keep changing according to the development. At the time of the temple we must show our gratitude, the gratitude is realized by beautifying themselves. So, in the actual part of the shirt there is no definite benchmark.
Then proceed with the use of udeng (headband). Shrimp are generally divided into three, namely udeng jejateran (udeng for praying), udeng dara kepak (used by the king), udeng beblatukan (worn by priests). On a jejateran udeng using a live knot in front, on the sidelines of the eye. As a symbol of cundamani or third eye. Also as a symbol of concentration of mind. With the tip facing upwards as a symbol of respect to Sang Hyang Aji Akasa. The jejateran shrimp have two bebidakan ie the higher right, and the lower left which means we have to give priority to the Dharma.
The bebidakan is the symbol of the god Brahma, the right symbol of the god Shiva, and the living knot symbolizes the god Vishnu. On the top of the head jejateran or hair is not covered which means we are still brahmacari dah still ask. While in udeng dara kepak, there are still bebidakan tepai there is additional head covering which means the symbol of the leader who always protect the community and concentration of intelligence. Whereas in udeng beblatukan there is no bebidakan, there is only the head cover and the knot in the back with tied down as a symbol prefers the public interest rather than personal interests.
2. Bali Custom Clothes for Women
Just like the customs clothing of men, the first begins by using kamen. Fabric folds / kamen coiled from right to left as according to the concept of magic. Princess as the duty is to keep the man does not deviate from the teachings of dharma. Kamen princess kirakira handkerchief because the daughter's work as a magic is very much so the princess stepped shorter. After using the kamen for the princess wear a toe that serves to keep the uterus, and control the emotions. In the princess using a scarf / senteng dikiat using a live knot on the left which means as magic and mebraya. Princess wearing a scarf outside, not covered by clothes, to always be ready to fix the son at the time deviated from the teachings of dharma. Then proceed by using clothes (kebaya) with a clean, neat, and polite. Its use is the same as the clothes on the son. Then proceed with decorate hair.
In princess hair decorated with pepusungan. In general there are three vortex gonjer pusung for a daughter who is single / unmarried as a symbol of the princess is still free to choose and dipih his partner. The gonjer dragon is made by way of hair in part and part of the fold in the booth. Pusung gonjer also as a symbol of beauty as a crown and as the stana Tri Murti. The second is the tagging hook is for a married daughter. And the third is the podgala / pusung kekupu. Usually used by female pastors. There are three flowers in use are white cempaka, yellow cempaka, sandat as the symbol of the god Tri Murti.
From the above description can be concluded that each region has different ornaments that have a symbolic meaning in their respective custom clothing. Nevertheless, Balinese traditional clothing is basically the same, ie obedience to the god or Sang Hyang Widhi. This outfit is also often used to distinguish the caste level, which is man-made itself. In the presence of the Creator, all men are equal in degree. In addition to being a tribute to the creator, Balinese traditional dress is a form of homage to visitors / guests who come. This is something common, considering if you as a guest it will be honored to be welcomed by a well-dressed, well-dressed house owner.