Discover
Discover
The property comprises five rice-terrace landscapes and their water temples, covering 19,500 hectares. The temples are the focus of a cooperative system of canals and weirs known as subak, which UNESCO dates back to the 9th century. The 18th-century royal water temple of Pura Taman Ayun is also included.
History
History
Subak reflects the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which brings together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature. UNESCO notes that it grew from some 2,000 years of cultural exchange between Bali and India. This democratic, egalitarian system has let the Balinese farm rice productively despite a dense population.
People & Culture
People & Culture
In a subak, decisions about water are made together by the farmers and tied to rituals at the water temples. For us, subak shows that farming knowledge, community self-government and religion need not be separate.
Living Heritage
Living Heritage
Subak associations still manage water and hold ceremonies at the water temples today, while facing pressure from tourism and the conversion of rice fields into development land. Keeping subak alive means keeping farming livelihoods alive along with the landscape.
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