Balinese crafts are not just decorative—they are deeply embedded in religious practice, community identity, and the daily rhythm of life. Each craft represents centuries of skill, tradition, and spiritual meaning. For culturally curious families, diving into these art forms is a chance to engage with Bali’s soul on a hands-on level.
- Wood Carving (Ukiran Kayu)
Where to Explore: Mas, Tegallalang, Ubud
Wood carving in Bali is both a spiritual and artistic practice. From temple gates to sacred masks, each piece carries symbolic meaning—demons for protection, gods for worship, or ancestral figures for reverence.
Common items carved include:
- Barong and Rangda masks (used in ceremonial dance),
- Garuda statues (the mythical bird and national emblem),
- Furniture and door panels with intricate floral or mythological motifs.
Hands-on opportunity:
Workshops in Mas or Ubud often allow participants to carve soft wood using traditional chisels. These are beginner-friendly and often include instruction on sacred symbolism.
- Silver and Gold Crafting (Perak dan Emas)
Where to Explore: Celuk Village, Gianyar
Celuk is Bali’s most famous silversmithing village. Craftspeople here create detailed jewelry and ceremonial items using age-old methods such as hand-hammering, filigree (fine wirework), and soldering.
Crafted items include:
- Rings, earrings, and pendants with traditional Balinese patterns,
- Ceremonial tools like holy water vessels,
- Custom nameplate jewelry—a favorite with visitors.
Hands-on opportunity:
Many studios offer beginner classes where families can design and create a small silver item to take home.
- Batik and Ikat Textiles
Where to Explore: Tohpati (batik), Sidemen and Klungkung (ikat)
Batik is the wax-resist dyeing of fabric, while ikat involves resist-dyeing the threads before weaving. Both techniques are rich with cultural meaning and used in both daily and ceremonial clothing.
Patterns reflect:
- Nature (flowers, rice fields, animals),
- Spiritual protection (e.g., protective kawung motifs),
- Social identity (clan, caste, or regional origin).
Hands-on opportunity:
Batik workshops in Tohpati let kids and adults draw patterns with hot wax and dye their own fabric. In Sidemen, some weavers allow visitors to try thread-dyeing and observe the loom process.
- Lontar Etching (Lontar Writing and Illustration)
Where to Explore: Karangasem, Klungkung
This unique and rare craft involves inscribing palm leaves (lontar) with text or illustrations, traditionally used for religious manuscripts and storytelling.
Craft details:
- A sharp tool called a pengutik is used to etch onto dried lontar leaves.
- The lines are blackened with charcoal and oil to make them visible.
- Subjects range from epics like the Mahabharata to ancient medicinal knowledge.
Hands-on opportunity:
Some cultural institutions offer lontar art sessions where you can inscribe your own illustrated leaf—an excellent way to explore Balinese script and sacred geometry.
- Bamboo Weaving (Anyaman Bambu)
Where to Explore: Bangli, Tabanan, Gianyar
Bamboo is central to Balinese architecture and daily life. From offerings to baskets and ceremonial backdrops, weaving bamboo is both practical and artistic.
Common crafts:
- Penjor poles for religious festivals,
- Baskets and trays used in daily markets and temples,
- Decorative lanterns and wall hangings.
Hands-on opportunity:
In rural villages, families can learn basic bamboo weaving techniques and help create items used in temple ceremonies—an authentic and tactile experience.
- Stone Carving (Pahat Batu)
Where to Explore: Batubulan, Singapadu
Unlike wood, stone is used primarily for temple architecture, gates, and statues. These large-scale carvings often feature deities, guardians, and mythical creatures.
Craft process:
- Local volcanic stone (paras or andesite) is chiseled using traditional mallets and hand tools.
- The work is incredibly detailed and may take weeks or months to complete.
Hands-on opportunity:
While stone carving is physically demanding, some workshops allow travelers to try basic chiseling on smaller practice blocks or clay replicas for kids
