Tri Hita Karana–an exploration of Balinese creativity

8th to 15th June 2017

An 8-day residential workshop exploring the arts and crafts of Bali with Threads of Life at Umajati Retreat (space limited to 6 participants)

Over eight days you will explore the roots of Balinese culture through hands-on workshops that delve into the resilience of Bali’s unique arts, crafts and ritual practises. Guided by members of the Threads of Life team, the retreat draws its insights from two decades of fieldwork helping indigenous communities across Indonesia maintain their cultural heritage.

The week’s journey includes a full-day class in batik and natural dyes, half-days of bamboo basket making, Balinese cooking, introductory classes in gamelan music and offering making. Participants will also experience two walking tours through the rice paddies and to village temples, a demonstration on the myriad of uses of the coconut tree, and a lecture on the cultural history of the archipelago as seen through the textile arts.

This retreat is inspired by an ancient archipelago-wide philosophy that in Bali is articulated as Tri Hita Karana, or the Three Causes of Happiness. The three inter-related causes are the maintaining of harmony amongst people, harmony with the divine, and harmony between people and nature. In practice, this philosophy is expressed through the island’s community life, through ritual practice, and through material culture; with the material culture offering this retreat its gateway to understanding.

Participation is limited to 6 participants in shared accommodations at the Umajati Retreat.

Workshop Leaders

Workshop leaders Made Maduarta (Pung), Komang Sujata and Made Desa Perwani (Tutut) each bring two decades of experience of working for Threads of Life in the field and in the dye studio, collaborating with and learning from indigenous master weavers, dyers and cultural leaders across the archipelago. Working with Threads of Life co-founder William Ingram, highly regarded Balinese dancer Anak Agung Anom Putra, and nature guide Ida Bagus Ketut Dharma, our workshop leaders bring knowledge of the intricacies of Balinese art and culture to this intimate retreat environment. From the hands-on to the philosophy behind Tri Hita Karana, you will be guided on a journey through Balinese customs and daily life.

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Workshop Schedule

Thursday

PM - Arrival at Umajati Retreat | Group introductions and retreat program introduction | Group dinner at Umajati*

Friday

AM - Breakfast | ‘100 Uses of the Coconut’ lecture | Offering making class* | Elements of Balinese prayers and how to use ceremonial dress*

PM - Lunch | Walking tour to local temples | Free for dinner in Ubud

Saturday

AM - Breakfast | Textile History lecture at Threads of Life*

PM - Lunch | Gamelan music practice | Dinner | Semarah Ratih dance performance

Sunday

AM - Breakfast | Natural dye batik workshop* 

PM - Lunch | Natural dye batik workshop | Free for dinner in Ubud

Monday

AM - Breakfast | Basket making workshop*

PM - Lunch | Optional: continue basket making, visit to Mask Museum, or massage | Free for dinner in Ubud

Tuesday

AM - Breakfast | Rice fields and traditional medicinal plants walk*

PM - Lunch | Free afternoon | Dinner | Kecak dance performance

Wednesday

AM - Breakfast | Balinese cooking class and jamu herbal medicine making*

PM - Lunch | Free afternoon | Group Dinner at Moksa restaurant

Thursday

AM - Breakfast  

Noon - Check-out and departure

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Price, Payment, Cancellation and Refund Policy, Group Size

Price Includes

7 nights twin-share accommodation; 6 days retreat program; arrival and departure airport transfers; 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners; scheduled local transportation. (Note: twin share rooms may be made up with a king size bed for couples.)

Payment 

Payment will be made through PayPal via an automatic link in the booking website. You do not need to have a PayPal account to make a payment; PayPal will simply be used to process your credit card payment.

Cancellation and Refunds

Cancellation requests must be made by email to tours@threadsoflife.com. The date of cancellation is the date on which the written cancellation is received in Bali. No refund will be made for failure to attend or if you voluntarily leave the workshop for any reason after it has begun. No refunds will be given for any accommodation, transport, sightseeing, meals or services not used during the workshop. Cancellation may be made at any time and refunds will be reversed directly from PayPal to your PayPal account or credit card with the following conditions:

• A 100% refund will be made within 7 days of booking to allow participants to arrange air tickets and time off from work. 

• From 8 days after booking, and if there are still more than 91 days until the workshop, a 90% refund will be made for cancellation.

• From 90 days before the workshop up to 31 days before the workshop, a 50% refund will be made.

• Within 30 days of the workshop, no refund will be made.

Group Size 

Maximum group size is 6 participants. Minimum group size for the published itinerary is 3 participants. If the group size is less than 3, the workshop itinerary will be adjusted to include only events marked with an asterisk, and a refund for the parts of the itinerary not offered will be made.  

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Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is required for all participants. Travel insurance should, at minimum, provide coverage against personal accident, personal liability, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation. (An emergency air medical evacuation to Singapore can cost upwards of USD 30,000.) Medical care facilities in Indonesia are significantly different from the West and medical evacuation is extremely expensive.