Subak, a more than 1000 years old irrigation system in Bali, Indonesia. One of the real proofs that culture, spirituality, governance, technology, and community are still thriving against modernity. It works on rice fields in many locations in Bali. Keep water as a sacred source, by using it wisely, equally, and sustainably.
What is Subak?
Subak is a traditional irrigation system that manages water distribution in Balinese rice fields, channeling water from rivers or lakes, equitably to all across the fields. It also keeps the availability of water during dry seasons.
Subak system is considered as a fair irrigation system because it manages the water to fulfill all farmers and Balinese communities’ rights. Subak system is managed and regulated by traditional leaders: pekaseh.
Subak irrigation system © Freepik
The Philosophy of Subak
Water is a symbol of sustainability, purity, sanctity, and harmony for the Balinese. They value water by not only keeping it sacred but also using it sustainably. This is one of the underlying principles of the Subak system related to Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese Hindu community’s philosophy about harmony between three elements of life: human-to-human, human-nature, and human-divine connections.
The Mechanism of Subak System
Pekaseh leads the farmers working together through a cooperative network. From rivers or lakes, water is channeled into canals and weirs through temples, and distributed to irrigate the terraced rice fields. The system ensures each farmer has equal water share, based on the size of their fields, from the higher to the lower elevation. This leads to efficiency of water use and helps preserve them during the dry season.
Enchanting Landscape of Rice Fields
Subak system not only serves a practical function for the environment and the community but also offers beautiful scenery. In Jatiluwih, at 700 meters above sea level, the more than fifty thousand hectares of terraced rice fields offer a magical landscape. Tourists can witness farmers’ activities, including cleaning, plowing, leveling rice fields, then planting and harvesting rice.
Some temples are also built around rice fields, including the 18th-century Royal Water Temple of Pura Taman Ayun, the largest and most remarkable architecture of its kind in Bali. There is also the annual Jatiluwih Festival held there. The right place for those who love to do ecotourism.
Terraced rice fields in Bali © Freepik
UNESCO World Heritage Site
After 12 years of efforts, UNESCO finally acknowledged the Subak system as a world heritage site. This is a huge achievement because this category acknowledgment needs deep research in archeology, anthropology, geography, environmental science, landscape architecture, and other related disciplines.
Subak system proposed to UNESCO includes a total area of more than 20.000 hectares in 5 districts including Badung, Bangli, Buleleng, Gianyar, and Tabanan. The establishment was enthusiastically welcomed by the Balinese community and the government.
A True Sustainability Example of Traditional Culture
Sustainability, a recently popular term about balancing environment, economy, social, and governance aspects, has already been applied in this Subak system for over a millennium. The Tri Hita Karana has had a similar philosophy since a long time ago, and is still relevant until today. Despite modern pressures, Subak continues to support local economies and preserve Bali’s cultural and ecological heritage.
References:
- https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1194/
- https://disbud.bulelengkab.go.id/informasi/detail/artikel/86-sistem-irigasisubak-bali-indonesia-metode-pengairan-sawah-tradisional-di-bali-yang-terkenal-dan-ditetapkan-oleh-unesco-sebagai-warisan-budaya-dunia
- https://kemenparekraf.go.id/ragam-parekraf/sistem-subak-warisan-budaya-dunia-dan-daya-tarik-wisata
