Kusamba and Gelgel Villagers Hold Megibung Feast by the Sea
The sound of waves crashing on Kusamba Beach in Dawan District, Klungkung, Bali, blended with prayers recited by hundreds of residents from Kampung Kusamba Village, Kampung Gelgel Village, and the Muslim community of Klungkung Regency on Wednesday (12/8/2026).
Hundreds of residents from the two villages filled the shoreline to hold the Saparan tradition, which consists of communal prayer and a shared meal known as megibung.
According to detikBali’s observations at the scene, from 4:00 p.m. local time, hundreds of residents were seen arriving with provisions of various home-cooked dishes.
The series of events began with a prayer for safety led by local religious figures at the water’s edge, followed by the megibung tradition in which residents sat cross-legged in circles on mats, enjoying the meal together.
Kampung Kusamba Village Head Syahrul Ramadan explained that the Saparan tradition, held every end of Safar in the Hijri calendar, which fell on Wednesday this year, is an important moment for the coastal community of Klungkung to seek safety and strengthen togetherness.
“We hold this Saparan tradition regularly every year. The core of the activity is communal prayer to seek safety, protection from disasters, and an expression of gratitude. After the prayer is finished, we continue with megibung together by the sea,” said Syahrul Ramadan when met at Kusamba Beach on Wednesday (12/8/2026).
Syahrul added that the tradition of communal prayer and megibung also serves as an important pillar in maintaining fellowship between the residents of Kampung Kusamba and Kampung Gelgel, while reinforcing harmony with the Hindu community in the surrounding area.
“Through megibung, there are no barriers between residents. Everyone sits side by side on the beach, sharing the food they brought. This is a tangible form of tolerance and coastal harmony that has been passed down by our ancestors hundreds of years ago,” he asserted.
The choice of Kusamba Beach as the centre of the activity holds its own emotional and historical value, given that the majority of residents earn their livelihoods as fishermen and salt farmers in the area.
Towards Official Recognition as WBTB
At the same time, this year’s Saparan tradition was also marked by preparations for its designation as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB), as a symbol of gratitude and the strong roots of tolerance along the Klungkung coast. The Saparan tradition has already been included in the list of national WBTB nominations for 2026.
“This tradition has already passed several stages that have been in process for the past two months. This time it is being directly assessed by the WBTB team during its implementation,” Syahrul explained.
Klungkung Regent I Made Satria, who attended the event, expressed his appreciation for the tradition that continues to be preserved in his remarks.
“Honestly, this afternoon I feel happy to witness the Muslim community gathering as one family, together carrying out the Saparan tradition,” said Satria.
He expressed hope that the Saparan tradition would not become merely a ceremony and a WBTB designation, but would become the identity and character of the residents, particularly the Muslim community in Kampung Kusamba and Kampung Gelgel.
“Hopefully this tradition can continue to be preserved. On this occasion, I invite the entire community, especially the Muslim community and its younger generation, to continue inheriting this as a heritage that makes us proud. Because this is not merely a ceremony, but a way of maintaining our togetherness,” he explained.
“The essence of megibung is that we eat together, without distinguishing anyone. We enjoy the meal together,” Satria added.