Woodcarving shops
Dozens of woodcarving shops now line the main road. The three
mentioned above are the most famous, as well as Tantra and I.
B. Anom for topeng masks.
One can see craftsmen at work in small workshops in the galleries.
The system is paternalistic; the shop owner gives work to his
craftsmen according to their skill, the price is then based on
the final product. They work at the gallery or at home. The craft
is learned at an early age inside the family; technology is still
quite traditional, using various types of axes, chisels and drills
made by different local blacksmiths. Prices are very high anyway,
especially if you do not come on your own. They can sometimes
handle special orders. Nyoman Tekek Manis recently carved a giant
Christ that was placed on the Cengkareng Church altar in Jakarta
and inaugurated by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
Located 100 in from the road on the east side, Pura Taman Pule
does not take its name from the holy pule trees growing behind
it, but means "Beautiful Garden"; Danghyang Nirartha
is said to have planted a purple flowered tangi tree in it still
growing behind an altar in the jaba tengah (middle court) from
which a golden bud sprouted, which gave the village its name.
At the back of the main temple, a padmasana surrounded by a pond
is said to have been the place of his hermitage. People from all
over Bali come to pray there, not only brahmanas, but also commoners
of the Pasek Bendesa Mas clan, especially on its five-day odalan,
falling on Kuningan Day (Saturday).
Dance: shadows of the past
There is a Wayang Wong (Masked) dance troupe in Mas whose origin
dates back centuries. It was revived by Walter Spies - its 22
sacred masks are now kept in the temple. Telling stories from
the Ramayana, it can be seen performing on Kuningan eve, and Kuningan
day, as ritual contributions (ayahan). |
