Bali Governor Condemns Joged Bumbung's Harassment With Vulgar Scenes, Asks Officials To Take Strict Action

Bali Governor Wayan Koster/DOK Bali Provincial Government

DENPASAR - Bali Governor, Wayan Koster, was furious and criticized the harassment of the traditional Balinese art, Joged Bumbung.

The harassment is suspected to have occurred several years ago but has not been stopped until now. On October 1, 2021, the Governor of Bali issued Circular Letter (SE) Number 6669 of 2021 as an effort to protect and preserve the art of Joged Bumbung by Balinese dance standards, traditional values, traditions, cultural arts, and Balinese local wisdom.

However, Joged Bumbung performances and shows that are not by the standard, especially those containing pornographic elements, are still rampant. Therefore, the Governor asked the apparatus not to hesitate to take firm action.

"We condemn and deeply regret those who are not responsible for displaying the art of Joged Bumbung by deliberately showing scenes that are not commendable, violating the ethics and politeness of Balinese dances. It is customary to take firm action and control measures", said Koster in his written statement, Wednesday, December 1.

He reminded the public not to belittle the art of Joged Bumbung as a traditional Balinese art of ancestral cultural heritage.

"We emphasize through Governor's Circular No. 6669 2021, the Bali Provincial Government officially protects Joged Bumbung art from harassment and abuse, so all parties who have the authority to take firm steps if they find Joged Bumbung performances outside the standard", he added.

Koster stated that the art of jogging has been designated as a world cultural heritage by Unesco in 2015, so it is obligatory to preserve, protect and glorify it.

According to him, this is in line with the vision of Bali's development, namely Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali, which makes culture the upstream of development, therefore all cultural objects must be protected.

For this reason, the community, artists, and cultural observers must participate in supporting and playing an active role in respecting, protecting, and preserving the art of Joged Bumbung which has high aesthetic value.

"Government agencies, educational institutions, and private institutions, to participate in guiding to studios, Sekaa (organizations in Bali), and dance groups in Bali so that they perform good and correct performances. Likewise, for entertainment, hotel and restaurant managers so that they no longer display Joged Bumbung art that is not by Balinese dance standards", he said.

In addition, his party also asked managers and social media activists not to disseminate Joged Bumbung artistic content that contains pornographic elements or porn action.

With the harassment of Joged Bumbung art becoming increasingly uncontrollable, Governor Koster also asked the police, regents and mayors, Village Heads, and Village Traditional Leaders to take preventive, prevent, and take firm action against parties facilitating or organizing or parties who upload to social media.

In addition, according to him, some Joged Porno or Joged Jaruh content has again been widely circulated and uploaded on social media. This raises the concerns of all parties such as artists, Joged Bumbung lovers, culturalists, and the public because the circulation of Joged Porn has created a negative image of Balinese art.

"The art of Joged Bumbung is tarnished by people who do not respect the artistic values and philosophy of Balinese culture. In fact, Joged Bumbung's nickname is getting deviated, known as Joged Ngebor, Joged Jaruh, and others. Balinese performing arts, which have high aesthetic value and popularity, have recently been seen as cheap and trivial art", said Koster.