Bali Kites Festival: The Festival Of Traditional Kites in Bali

Q: How High can these Kites climb?

During the Bali Kite Festival, the kites used in competitions can reach heights of up to 50 metres (164 feet) or more above the ground. These massive kites require strong winds and skilled kite-flying teams to control them and keep them steady in the air.

Q: Why are Balinese kites special?

Balinese kites are often made by father-son and are seen as a bonding moment between them. They are often trained from an early age and often these learnings are put to use during adulthood when the kites are made out of silk cloth replacing the earlier used colourful papers during the Kites Festival.

Q: What Happens at The Kite Festival?

Traditional giant kites are made and flown competitively by teams from the villages of Denpasar during The Kite Festival. It is a seasonal religious festival in honour of the Hindu Gods showing gratitude and thanking them for an abundant crop and harvest.

Q: What is the main meaning behind flying Balinese kites?

The main meaning behind Flying kites in Bali is the spiritual connection between the earth and the heavens. Sending kites soaring into the sky is believed to appease the gods and bring harmony and prosperity to the land and its people.

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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Bali Kites Festival Explained

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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