Karangasem Proposes Rejang Pala Dance for Intangible Cultural Heritage Status

The Karangasem Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar) has once again proposed a local cultural heritage to be designated as part of Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb). This year, the Rejang Pala dance from Nongan Village, Rendang District, Karangasem, has been put forward for the status.

“This year, there is only one cultural heritage that we are proposing, which is the Rejang Pala dance,” said the Head of Karangasem Disbudpar, I Putu Eddy Surya Artha, on Thursday (17/09/2026).

Surya Artha explained that the Rejang Pala dance is classified as a sacred dance passed down at Pura Balang Tamak, Nongan Village, Rendang District. The dance is closely linked to the performance of Usaba Pala, a ritual serving as an expression of gratitude by the community for abundant agricultural harvests.

A distinctive feature of this dance is the use of various fruits as part of the ‘gelungan’, or the headdress worn by the dancers. Fruits such as rambutan, salak, oranges, boni, kepundung, and various other agricultural products are arranged into the dancers’ ornaments.

The Rejang Pala dance is performed in groups by female dancers during religious ceremonies. The dance is also part of the Usaba Desa ceremony at Pura Pesamuhan Agung and remains a vital part of the religious and agrarian life of the Nongan Village community.

“In truth, there are still many of Karangasem’s cultural heritages that have not yet entered the WBTb registry. We will propose them gradually every year,” added Surya Artha.