The Bali Kite Festival is an international annual kite event held during the windy months of July-August often extending up to October as well in the Padang-Galak area, Sanur Beach, Bali. The event is a seasonal religious festival, to show gratitude to the Hindu gods for abundant crops and harvests.Since the late 1990s, the Sanur district of Bali has hosted the annual Bali Kite Festival, which draws in a lot of people, especially kite-flying fans from all over the globe. Hundreds of groups from all Bali banjars (local communities) will compete with their best kite flyer team, “Sekaa Layangan,” for the big prize. Each group builds their kites differently and this takes months to prepare.
Balinese kites hold a special place in the hearts of the Balinese people because of their deep-rooted cultural significance. The art of kite-making and flying is passed down through generations and generations, preserving the island’s ancient traditions. Additionally, the communal aspect of kite-flying brings communities together, fostering a sense of unity and celebration.
You must visit Bali during the Kite Festival and experience this at least once in your lifetime. You can check Bali Tour Packages to plan and book your Bali holiday and be a part of this spectacular event.
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The Bali Kite festival becomes a competitive ground for groups of young men who send their teams to participate and win prize money. Competitions are also usually held for new creation kites or kreasi baru in Balinese. These may include detailed 3-dimensional figures and unusual designs ranging from Hindu gods, cars and motorbikes, to mascots and brand sponsors. A gamelan orchestra accompanies each troupe, which adds to the spirit of the kite festival.Traditional Balinese kites tend to be enormous, measuring up to 4 metres wide and 10 metres long.
- Bebean (fish-shaped)
- Janggan (bird-shaped)
- Pecukan (leaf-shaped)
These are the three traditional kites flown during the Bali Kite festival. These kites are flown by teams of 10 or more adult kite fliers. The Bebean is the largest kite which looks like a broad-mouthed, split-tailed fish. The Janggan form has a broad flowing cloth tail that can reach more than 100 metres in length. The Pecukan has an unstable form and often tumbles towards the ground, hence requiring the most skilled kite fliers. Red, white and black are the traditional colours used in the kite’s designs. Each type of traditional kite has its own competition, with heats of 10 teams vying for the best launch and longest flight.
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