Sidetapa Village, The Unknown Bali

Traditional House In Sidetapa Village

     Sidetapa Village is located in Banjar district, Buleleng regency and situated in the hilly area. Sidetapa village is an ancient village or local people use the term of " Desa Bali Aga" which mean the original residence in Bali. Sidetapa village was predictably built-in 785 AC, with the comers from Batur area, Dauh Tono Ireng area, and from java, followers of Lord Markandea. However, the people of Sidetapa village is surely from Pasek caste, Patih Batur. At that time, Sidetapa Village consisted of three groups of society. they were: Pasek society who was in Leked area, Patih society who was in Kunyit village area, and Batur society who was in Sekarung area. all of these places now are in Sidetapa village. it is believed that a long time ago, the name of Sidetapa village was Gunung Sari Munggah Tapa Village.

    Sidetapa village still preserves the unique Traditional houses which were built hundreds of years ago and still standing up now. The house in Sidetapa village as Bali Aga Architecture ( Traditional Balinese architecture around the mountain ) has uniqueness. different from a house on traditional Balinese architecture which is famous. The Traditional house in Sidetapa Village is a building made of the wooden structure, and its horizontal area is overlapping and is called Bale Gajah Tumpang Salu. Bale Gajah Tumpang Salu consist of three parts, which are Nista Mandala is the place for receiving the guests, Madya Mandala is the place for cooking and eating. then, Utama Mandala is a sacred place for praying. Approximately 50 cm above the ground there is the first overlapping structure where dweller sits for prayers. The second horizontal area is on the right-left side of this place. there is a Bale with approximately 50 cm height from the first horizontal area for the ceremony and bed. the third horizontal area is the place of God and ancestors. Bale Gajah Tumpang Salu is the place that has the spirit of place that pleasure its sense of place with an aesthetic place pleasures method. Bale Gajah Tumpang Salu as the place is a local genius. 

     Sidetapa Village is very accessible either from Lovina and Bedugul. From Lovina, it takes about 25 minutes and from Bedugul, it takes about 35 minutes by public transportation. Along the way to reach this place, you will see the daily life of the people where the people work as handicraft, Farmer's work, and has about three thousands populations. and most of them are farmer's working. The main product in this village is cloves plantations, coffee plantations, any kind of fruits, and wickerwork. Talking about the potential that has in the sector of tourism village are culture preserve, natural nature, and the marvellous view of the ocean sea. Besides that about our sacred dances where it is usually held in other important ceremonies such as Gandrung dance, Jangkang dance, Ngabwang dance, Pendet dance, Sanghyang dance, and Dedaratan dance. From our ancestor to the next generations in this village, still Productively of making Red palm sugar. the Palm sugar can be processed also to make alcohol drink. but the alcohol contains are not more than 6 % and it is still natural fermentation and it is called ''Tuak".

     Sidetapa village is well known as the production of handicraft. it is noted where the bamboo plantations are growth in this sector. Any kind of handmade wickerwork you can find in this village. from souvenirs, decorations, and other things. then, about the natural nature, this village has three waterfalls which are normally used as water irrigation by people when summer. But one waterfall you can find as your place to explore the hidden waterfall in Bali. namely Tamblangan waterfall. this waterfall has about 70 meters tall and supported by blue lagoon water, cloves plantations, and fruits plantations where the visitor can take the fruits on the season. there is also a sky bridge in front of the waterfall as the spot selfie. lastly, If you want to see something different about Traditional Village in Bali, Sidetapa Village is the right place to visit.