Some
of Bali`s oldest remains of prehistoric humans have been found
in the Jembrana regency. Legend tells that sparsely populated
West Bali god that way because it's early in habitants was cursed
into invisibility for having violated the daughter of a Powerful
priest. A ruling family related to the Gelgel house was established
here in the mid 1400s, but a dispute between its two founders
led to civil war and a destruction of the court. For a while
the area was considered to be marginal part of the Badung Kingdom,
and a Prince from Sulawesi set himself up as ruler during the
17th century with little problem. Karang asem nearly took Jembrana
in the late 1800s, but Jembrana surrendered peacefully to the
Dutch before rival Kingdom were subdued. Most of Jembrana includes
the forests, mountains, and coasts of the west Bali National
Park and Reserve. Visitors must obtain the necessary permit
and guide at the part headquarters in Cekik. You might be lucky
to see the rare white Bali starling bird, or may be hear the
roar of the Balinese tiger, long thought to be extinct.
Excellent diving and snorkeling can be found around Pulau Menjangan
Island, with the Banyu Wedang hot springs near by on the coast.
Catch a ferry to Java at Gilimanuk port. Closed to the district
capital of Negara is the temple of Gede Prancak near a waver,
while further east the Rambut Siwi complex has magnificent ocean
views. A large fishing community has been established at Pengambengan,
and there is an excellent surfing beach at Medewi. Cloves are
grown on plantation in the foothills around Asah Duren.
Bigger is better in Jembrana: huge bamboo xylophones of the
gamelan jegog accompany martial arts and dances. Kendang Mebarung
competitions of large oversized drums are sometimes held. Exciting
makepung bull races take place in the village of Banyubiru and
Delod Brawah during the dry season. Joged bumbung groups with
flirtatious dancers accompanied by smaller bamboo instruments
are popular around Tegal Cangkring.
History
Negara is the capital city of Jembrana, Bali’s westernmost district
and where some of Bali’s oldest remains of prehistoric humans
have been found. Jembrana also happens to be Bali’s most sparsely
populated district. A ruling family related to the Gelgel house
was established here in the mid 1400s, but a dispute among its
two founders led to civil war and a destruction of the court.
For a while the area was considered to be a marginal part of
the Badung kingdom, but when a prince from Sulawesi set himself
up as ruler of Jembrana in the seventeenth century, he did so
with little difficulty. Karangasem nearly took Jembrana in the
late 1800s, but was piped at the post by the Dutch, to whom
Jembrana surrendered peacefully even before any of the other
kingdoms were subdued.
Scenic drives
As a counterpoint to the cultural wealth of southern Bali,
Jembrana’s main point of interest is its West Bali National
Park and reserve, which encompasses the forests, mountains,
and coasts of much of the district. To enter the Park, visitors
must obtain a permit at Cekik, A good road provides a pretty,
scenic drive from the Gilimanuk end of the park, in the west,,
almost all the way to Lovina in Buleleng. It is in the forest
that hems this road that the long-extinct Balinese tiger once
roamed, and here also the rare white Balinese starling may
be sighted.
Surfing
Menjangan Island is also a part of the National Park, and
is renowned as harbouring the best reefs in all of Bali for
snorkling and diving. Boats leave regularly to Menjangan from
the port adjacent to the island in the park, and diving trips
to here can be arranged from Lovina and other major tourist
centres. As for surfing, go no further than Medewi beach,
on the southern coastal road leading from Kuta to Tabanan
and through to Negara.
Temple-going
The Rambut Siwi temple complex, located on the north coast
road that links Singaraja with Gilimanuk, is without doubt
the most renowned temple complex in Jembrana. But in Negara
itself, the riverside Gede Prancak temple is also well worth
a visit.
Traditional arts
If the traditional art forms of Jembrana are known for anything,
it is their size. Bigger is better, it seems, in Jembrana,
which boasts the huge bamboo xylophones of the gamelan jegog,
the kendang mebarung competitions of large oversized rums,
and the makepung bull races which take place in the villages
of Banyubiru and Dlod Brawah in the dry season.
