Indonesian Independence Day

August 17th is celebrated as the day when the Republic of Indonesia achieved independence from the Dutch.

The rice harvest

Dedicated to the rice god, Dewi Sri, the times of rice harvesting are boon times in the villages. This is when the villages are decorated with flags, and fresh paint, and an atmosphere of happiness pervades. Small straw rice god dolls are placed around fields and villages as a tribute.

Makepung bull races

Held between July and October at Negara - located about 95 kms from Denpasar city, the races are conducted between highly decorated and pampered beasts, hitched in pairs to makeshift chariots ridden by jockeys who use a combination of riding skills and tail-twisting to induce maximum performance from their powerful bulls.