Skull Bliss: Portrait of a Balinese Skull Carver (documentary – 4’30”)

This short Baliprod Stories documentary follows a unique balinese tradition where Karangasem villagers fight with cactus like plants.

Producers: Omri Ben-Canaan, Josh Patil
Director/Producer: Alexandre Szuren
Camera/Editor: Apri Ipang Ksatria, Rico Surya
Production Coordinator: Prama Werdi
Subs: Marion Max

Perang Pandan at Tenganan village, East Bali, is an age-old tradition unique only to this well-preserved old Balinese village in the Karangasem regency.

Also referred to locally as mekare-kare and megeret pandan, Perang Pandan is a mass coming-of-age ritual, dedicated to the Hindu god of war and the sky, Indra.
It sees friendly duels between all male villagers, who bout each other armed with a small rattan shield in one hand and a tied packet of thorny ‘pandan’ leaves in the other.
The event is held annually, adhering to its own local calendar.