“those kids have ‘taksu’!”

Globalizations –even in the world of children’s fun and games- seems inevitable, the swift wave of it has gradually affected the world of Balinese children. Their traditional fun and games have shifted by the advent of industrial and technological advances. These are some efforts that have spurred due to the realization and increased concern of the values of how the children are brought in to the world, so they will be knowledgeable about their own roots and cultural backgrounds thus being a closer part of the society. Made Taro is the island’s most beloved and well-known authority on Balinese traditional games. He is the founder of Sanggar Kukuruyuk, a Balinese traditional games workshop in Denpasar City. The Kukuruyuk Foundation was set up in 1979 with the aim of inspiring local children with stories, games, singing and theatre.

The traditional games contain high social and local values that prepare them for entering into the real world and adulthood, such as teaching economic value and democracy. There is no doubt that Bali has the best preserved ensemble of ‘young performing masters’ who equal their seniors in dances, stances, twirls and even linguistic art such as poetry. On the international stages, the sport has considered the seed of the island’s tourism, surfing, sees Balinese grooms taking surfing stances to the worldwide stardom of international surf brands and sponsors. Then jokingly people say, “those kids have ‘taksu’!” (endowed with divine power of skill and influence); Kuta kids skim the waves with a stance like a Baris dancer, no ‘goofy’ stances in the lingo. (From Nyoman Dana article at Bali and Beyond, with editing and additions)