The Role of Balinese’s Local Wisdom in Forming Dwelling

Culture

Tiara Faradina Prasti

Architecture and Built Environment Postgraduate Program, Architecture Department,
Faculty of Engineering Brawijaya University, Indonesia.

tiarafaradinap@student.ub.ac.id

Abstract. The province of Bali has a variety of traditional settlements and has traditional values,
both socio-cultural, customs, and building architecture. One of the traditional architectures that
still exists today is the architecture of the Bali Aga. Over time, the Bali Aga villages have adapted
based on environmental conditions in each region. This causes differences and similarities in
each architectural style of the Bali Aga. Differences in environmental conditions, potential, and
air temperature can affect the architectural style of Bali Aga. This observation aims to determine
the diversity of traditional Balinese architecture that is formed based on regional differences.
The approach used in this observation is comparative descriptive. This approach is used to
compare the diversity of traditional Balinese Aga architecture in Buleleng Regency, Karangasem
Regency, and Bangli Regency. Based on observations, it is known that there are differences
between each component of Bali Aga architecture in Buleleng Regency, Karangasem Regency,
and Bangli Regency. It can be seen that differences in air temperature, and environmental
conditions can affect the architectural style and materials used to construct buildings. The main
difference is in the basic material for making walls. It can be seen that the material for making
walls is based on the ambient air temperature around Bali Aga villages. The village of Bali Aga
located on the beach tends to use materials in the form of woven bamboo and popolansoil, which
reduces the room's heat temperature because of its location close to the beach.

Keywords: Traditional-architecture, Bali Aga, Comparative-Studies

1. Introduction
Traditional settlements are one of the cultural heritages that are not only in the form of houses but also
consist of several supporting buildings that embody relationships between people that create a social
life. Traditional settlements are inseparable from the existence of traditional houses. Bali is one province
that has several different traditional settlements. Bali Province is a popular tourist destination because
of its many natural sceneries, which include mountains, lakes, and the sea. Not only is it rich in natural
landscapes, but the island of Bali also has many traditional values, such as socio-culture, customs, and
architectural buildings. Balinese architectural styles had developed and reflected in layout, shape,
buildings, and ceremonies that were carried out differently before the emergence of Hinduism in Bali.
Traditional Balinese architecture includes Bali Mula, Bali Aga, and Bali Arya, which emerged rapidly
after the Aryans from Majapahit came to power in Bali, accompanied by cultural figures in the realm of
architecture.
After the influence of Hinduism, several villages belonging to the Bali Aga community. Generally,
this community has a unique tradition in terms of place of residence and culture (Swanendri, 2016). The
Bali Aga community refers to a village group that still maintains a lifestyle with a community system
that refers to traditional village rules passed down from generation to generation (Mahabella & Riyani,
2013). Bali Aga settlements are distinctive in nearly every way. This uniqueness manifests in the form
of a belief and cultural system applied to the building houses form and its surroundings, including the
settlement's spatial patterns. The degree of diversity varies from village to village (Swanendri, 2016).
Bali Aga villages are more or less aligned to the traditions of the Kediri era, which had democratic
characteristics, even after absorbing the impact of Majapahit reign, which has a different community
structure as an influence on later cultural changes in Bali (Ardhana et al., 2020 ).
Bali Aga was first recognized during the eighth and thirteenth centuries. Bali Aga Village, also
known as Bali Mula Village, was established before the entrance of immigrants from Java during the
Majapahit Kingdom period. Bali Aga settlements are spread over different regions of the island. Most
of them clustered in the highlands. During the Bali Aga era, the population began to settle and cultivate
crops. The journey of the Bali Aga villages is said to have started from Pejeng to Bedulu. Based on the
discovery of various inscriptions, it appears that there is a link between the Bali Aga villages in the
districts of Bangli, Buleleng, and Karangasem. The ancient Bali Aga villages of Buleleng and Kintamani
are included in this category (Maharani, Santosa, Wardono, & Martokusumo, 2017). The Bali Aga
villages developed and created similarities and variances in their architectural styles over time.
Environmental factors, particularly air temperature, cause people to adapt by establishing internal spatial
planning, representing the processing of building mass kinds, materials used, and building proportions.
The majority of Bali Aga villages are placed in the highlands and have a distinguishing feature, such as
a single building with a more complex spatial layout and purpose. The inhabitants do not require heating
in the Bali Aga villages located in the coastal area. Therefore the kitchen area becomes a jumble of
houses distinct from the main building. Based on this reasoning, a comparison study is required to
identify the diversity of traditional Balinese Aga architecture generated by geographical variances.

Picture 1. Village Movement – Bali Aga Village in History

Source: Maharani, Santosa, Wardono, & Martokusumo, 2017
The pre-Hindu Bali, also known as Bali Aga, is an ancient Bali that still exhibits some animism. Bali
Aga is also known as the Bali Mountains because the location is 800 - 1700 meters above sea level. Bali
Aga is an old village in a hilly terrain inspired by Hindu-Javanese culture. Numerous elements
influenced the planning of the Bali Aga settlement, such as the hierarchy of place or position values
(Swanendri, Ni Made; Setiada, Nengah Keddy, 2015). The island of Bali is rich in cultural values. For
Balinese people, the meaning of traditional architecture is inextricably linked to the principles of Tri
Hita Kirana, which are identified as the fundamental philosophy. The Tri Hita Karana notion is a
transformational concept derived from the Tri Loka philosophy, which inspires every traditional
Balinese building where space becomes an embodiment of that concept (Susanta, 2017). Tri Hita Karana
is a concept that combines three harmonious interactions between humans and God, humans, and
humans, and humans and the environment. It describes the existence of Parahyangan, Pawongan, and
Pakemahan. Traditional Balinese architectural arrangements embody the application of the Tri Hita
Karana principle within the settlement and housing (Dewi, 2018). This notion provides a space for the
soul, body, and energy, such as a place of religious worship, a place for living activities, and a location
for public services (Winarta & Dharmadiatmika, 2018).
The architectural typology of Balinese dwellings is related to the Tri Hita Karana philosophy. A holy
place/Parahyangan represents the concept of peaceful human relations with God. The aspect of human-
to-human harmony is defined in traditional Balinese houses/pawongan. Meanwhile,
pekarangan/palemahan reflects the interaction between humans and the universe. The old Balinese
house serves not only as a place to live but also as a form of expression as a traditional settlement and
built environment that intertwine with the Balinese people's philosophy and way of life (Aritama &
Wiryawan, 2020).
The typical Bali Aga home is built from bamboo. The house was built as a single building mass, with
a shield roof without eaves and a steeper roof slope than the main building. The Bali Aga home is
identical to the Bale-Bale components constructed of bamboo on the right and left sides of the entrance
(Hanan, 2017). Most Bali Aga Villages in the highlands have high air temperatures, as do those in the
lowlands, which have varied climatic conditions. The walls and roof shapes of buildings in Bali Aga
villages must also be considered and adapted to the surrounding environment. The Bali Aga people
employ more building materials from their surroundings, even if the qualities of those materials do not
always fit the air temperature in that location (Maharani, Santosa, Wardono, & Martokusumo, 2017).

2. Research Method
This study used qualitative research methods. According to Imam Gunawan (2013), the qualitative
technique is a research approach that begins in the field based on natural environmental conditions rather
than a previously developed theory. In qualitative research, researchers serve as research instruments.
The comparative analysis method compares the variety of traditional Balinese Aga architecture among
objects. The typical Bali Aga home in Buleleng, Karangasem, and Bangli is the subject of observation.
The data collection technique is by conducting a literature study that discusses the traditional Balinese
Aga architecture in Buleleng Regency, Karangasem Regency, and Bangli Regency.
Table 1. Observation Variable
Observation Variable Source
Building Roof Maharani, Santosa,
Furnace Wardono, &
Building Walls and Materials Martokusumo, 2017
Doors

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Bali Aga Traditional Architecture in Buleleng Regency

Buleleng Regency contains numerous settlements classified as old villages, also known as Bali Aga
Villages. These ancient settlements have many distinct cultural values and customs that have survived
to the present day. Traditional dwellings in Buleleng Regency were erected in ancient times based on
the way of life of people who had a great belief in their ancestors. The residents of Bali Aga villages in
Buleleng Regency conduct activities in one room of a traditional house in order to do it practically (Adi,
Sila, & Sudita, 2020).
Based on the peculiarities of the area, Buleleng Regency connects the Bali Aga villages.
Architectural structures in Buleleng Regency follow the Tri Hita Karana idea, which seems transparent,
natural, natural, and harmonious (Indriani, 2018). Bali Aga villages in Buleleng Regency are part of the
Bali Aga category, which is older than Bali Aga villages in other districts.

Picture 2. Houses in Buleleng Regency

Source: Indriani, 2018
Based on the type of environment, Buleleng Regency is a coastal area and hills along the shore. Due
to this, the Bali Aga villages in the Buleleng Regency have a stove for conventional space heating. The
furnace is outside the house, where they reside amid the setting surrounding the sea and hills near the
beach. The characteristic of structures in Bali Aga villages is that they have low wall elements, a building
height from floor to ceiling of roughly 200 cm, and are closed with few openings. The houses in this
neighborhood are covered by bedeg from front to back (Adi, Sila, & Sudita, 2020).
Houses in Bali Aga villages utilize two different resources derived from their surroundings. Villages
in Buleleng Regency use popolan soil material for the bale meten wall material, which is separate from
the traditional kitchen. Because of its proximity to the beach, this seeks to minimize the heat temperature
in the room. However, villages in the hills along the shore use bamboo as a wall material. (Maharani,
Santosa, Wardono, & Martokusumo, 2017).

Picture 3. Walls and Materials in Bali Aga villages in Buleleng Regency

Source: Maharani, Santosa, Wardono, & Martokusumo, 2017
Figure 3 explains that for the bedroom (photo on the left) in a traditional Bali Aga house, popolan
soil is used as the material. Then for the walls in the kitchen using woven bamboo materials.
For roof elements, it has a roof structure made of pulukan wood and a roof covering material of
klakah or commonly called bamboo. The material is then halved and stacked neatly. The bamboo used
has a very long size. This type of roof is characteristic because it has a low inclination. This is because
the interior of the Bali Aga houses lacks a ceiling, often known as an exposed roof. The objective of this
exposed roof is to allow kitchen stove smoke to escape via the small openings in the klakah roof. The
Bali Aga village in Buleleng Regency has a roof composed of bamboo strips (tiing tiles) and bundles of
thatch that are linked together.
 (a) Tiing Roof (b) Ilalang
Picture 4. Building Roof in Tradisional Bali Aga Houses in Buleleng Regency
Source: Adi, Sila, & Sudita, 2020
Building door in Bali Aga houses, the door dimention are about 60 cm wide and 120-150 cm high
(Maharani, Santosa, Wardono, & Martokusumo, 2017). The Bali Aga villages in Buleleng Regency
have a door about 180 cm high and approximately 80 cm wide, and have two small doors whose
dimensions adjust to the size of the inhabitants. Each of these doors has a different position. The main
door is in the front home, while the second door is in the traditional house's main room. There are three
types of doors utilized: single wing doors, double wing doors, and sliding doors that use a classic door
lock system known as the lait system, which is now rarely used. Despite the fact that the Bali Aga house
in Buleleng Regency has two doors, it lacks window ventilation (Adi, Sila, & Sudita, 2020).

(a) (b)
Picture 5. Building Door in Tradisional Bali Aga Houses in Buleleng Regency
Source: Adi, Sila, & Sudita, 2020
a. Single and double wings door
b. Sliding door

3.2. Bali Aga Traditional Architecture in Karangasem Regency

Karangasem Regency is one of the villages in Bali Aga Akhir (Maharani, Santosa, Wardono, &
Martokusumo, 2017). Karangasem Regency is an area with a village that still preserves traditional Bali
Aga architecture. Karangasem Regency has its own customs and traditions, such as the village
administration structure (Swanendri, Ni Made, 2016). Karangasem Regency is defined as a steep
location near the beach. The Bali Aga home in Karangasem Regency features a traditional heating
device, also known as a furnace, that is located apart from the main building due to environmental
conditions. It is because its location in the hills requires heating (Maharani, Santosa, Wardono, &
Martokusumo, 2017).
The roof of the Bali Aga house in Karangasem Regency uses material from coconut leaves, also
known as selepan. The coconut leaves are strung together to form a comb and then tied to bamboo sticks
which act as battens. Coconut leaves are used as a roofing material in at least three layers. The layer's
durability increases as the layer thickness increases (Indra, 2020).

Picture 6. Building Roof in Tradisional Bali Aga Houses in Karangasem Regency

Source: Indra, 2020
 The walls of the Bali Aga houses in Karangasem Regency are composed of polpolan soil. Fermented
soil is the sort of soil described here. This soil is first hoed till it is loose, then sprinkled with water,
kneaded, and allowed for one day. The earth is then molded into two-fist-sized balls and bonded to the
building's walls. To improve the condition of the walls, the soil utilized is not sandy but rather clayey
and brownish in color (Indra, 2020).

Picture 7. Building Wall in Tradisional Bali Aga Houses in Karangasem Regency

Source: Indra, 2020
The door to the Bali Aga building in Karangasem Regency has similarities with several previous
districts where the dimensions are approximately 60 cm wide, and about 120 – 150 cm high. The
difference between the construction of doors in Karangasem Regency and other regencies is that they
use wood as the basic material for making doors. In Karangasem Regency, the door functions as
circulation and access for taksu in and out according to village traditions (Swanendri, 2016).

Picture 8. Building Door in Tradisional Bali Aga Houses in Karangasem Regency

Source: Swanendri, 2016

3.3. Bali Aga Traditional Architecture in Bangli Regency

Bangli Regency was the new Bali Aga before the Bali Aga migrated to Karangasem Regency, according
to the Bali Aga category (Maharani, Santosa, Wardono, & Martokusumo, 2017). Bangli Regency
commonly consists of woodland and plantations. The neighborhood has traditional space heating
facilities within the house. This is because the cold climatic conditions created by being surrounded by
trees prevent the temperature at the Bali Aga house from feeling too hot (Maharani, Santosa, Wardono,
& Martokusumo, 2017).

Picture 9. Furnace Within the House in Bangli Regency

Source: Maharani, Santosa, & Wardono, 2015
 The building wall of the Bali Aga house in Bangli Regency has local materials such as woven
bamboo. Then, for the building's roof, bamboo is also used. Because of the cold mountain air, the Bali
Aga residential building in Bangli Regency has a lower building height of around 220 cm and is closed
with few openings. The Bali Aga building in Bangli Regency has woven bamboo walls. Air ventilation
utilizes small holes in the bamboo walls. Along with the air circulation, the smoke from the stove also
makes use of the wall gaps. (Maharani, Ida Ayu Dyah; Santosa, Imam; Wardono, Prabu, 2015).

Picture 10. Building Walls in Tradisional Bali Aga Houses in Bangli Regency
Sumber: Maharani, Santosa, & Wardono, 2015
The roof is pyramid-shaped, with a slightly steep roof constructed of bamboo shingles. The fairly
steep roof can drain rainfall rapidly because the bamboo roof covering material has little chance of
avoiding standing water, which can prevent roof leaks and provide shelter for occupants inside
(Yudantini, Ni Made, 2018).

Picture 11. Building Roof in Tradisional Bali Aga Houses in Bangli Regency
Source: Yudantini, 2018
The door structure in the Bali Aga houses has approximately 60 cm in width and 120 - 150 cm high.
However, the entryway to the Bali Aga building in Bangli Regency has a height of roughly 160 cm and
a width of 60 cm without windows. The door material comes from woven bamboo (Maharani, Ida Ayu
Dyah; Santosa, Imam; Wardono, Prabu, 2015). The Bali Aga house is a closed structure building with
only one opening in the shape of a small door hole. The hole is used for ventilation by the community
(Maharani, Santosa, Wardono, & Martokusumo, 2017).

Picture 12. Building Door in Tradisional Bali Aga Houses in Bangli Regency
Source: Maharani, Santosa, & Wardono, 2015

3.4. Bali Aga Traditional Architecture Typology Matrix in 3 Regencies in Bali

The Bali Aga building type matrix is examined using four (four) characteristics derived from prior
research. The goal of creating a typology matrix of traditional Bali Aga architecture in three Bali
regencies is to discover the contrasts and similarities between traditional architectural styles that are
evaluated using the Bali Aga building typology.
Table 2. Bali Aga Traditional Architecture Typology Matrix
Observation Bali Aga Houses in Bali Aga Houses in
No. Bali Aga Houses in Bangli
Variable Buleleng Karangasem
1 Geographic Buleleng Regency is Karangasem Regency is Bangli Regency is
condition dominated by coastal area mostly dominated by the dominated by the
and hills. highlands highlands.
2. Buidling There are 2 types of roofs The roof is made of The roof has a pyramid
roof for Bali Aga houses in coconut leaves, shape with a slightly steep
Buleleng Regency: tiing commonly called roof angle made of bamboo
tiles and thatch tiles. This “selepan”. shingles.
tile has a distinctive feature
because it has a low angle of
inclination.
3. Furncae The furnace is placed The furnace is placed The furnace is placed
separately from the house within the house within the house

4. Building The walls are made of Wall materials for The walls have local
walls and popolan soil material. building houses in natural materials such as
materials However, villages located Karangasem Regency are woven bamboo. The
on the hills use bamboo as a mostly made of popolan climate that tends to be
material for making their soil and bamboo colder makes the Bali Aga
walls. houses in Bangli Regency
have a lower building
height, approximately 220
cm.
5. Building The Bali Aga villages in The dimensions are The dimensions are about
door Buleleng Regency have approximately 60 cm 160 cm high, with a door
doors about 180 cm high wide and about 120-150 width of 60 cm without
and 80 cm wide cm high. windows.

4. Conclusion
This study concludes several architectural differences in the traditional Bali Aga settlements. The
differences are influenced by the physical conditions of the environment, which manifest the capability
of adaptation from a long time ago. The Bali Aga settlement in the lowlands has a different form of
transformation from the Bali Aga settlement in the highlands. This can be reflected in the roof shape
and materials, the presence of a furnace within the house, the building wall materials, and the door
elements. The diversity of Bali Aga architecture can become a cultural heritage in Indonesia and be
beneficial for future architectural developments.

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