Ketupat and traditional sticky rice snacks filled the sky over a village road in Bali on Saturday afternoon, as hundreds of people took part in the annual Aci Tabuh Rah Pengangon tradition, also known as the tipat bantal war. What makes the celebration even more interesting for visitors is that the participants are not limited to local residents. Foreign tourists also joined the excitement.
The tipat bantal war tradition took place at Kapal Traditional Village in Mengwi District, Badung Regency, Bali, on Saturday (September 26). The atmosphere was lively from the beginning, with hundreds of residents gathering along the road in front of the village temple. Participants laughed, shouted, and enthusiastically threw ketupat and bantal into the air.
The ritual began with a joint prayer involving residents of Kapal Traditional Village. The prayers were held in front of the local Pura Desa and Puseh temples. After the ceremony, thousands of people, mostly men, moved toward the main road, which had been temporarily closed for the event.
Many of the participants were bare-chested and dressed in traditional Balinese clothing. They also wore udeng head coverings and carried the food items that would become the “ammunition” for the ritual. These included tipat, or ketupat, and bantal, a traditional Balinese sticky rice snack.
The actual throwing began after temple priests sprinkled holy tirta over the participants and gave the signal for the ritual to start. Within moments, the road was transformed into a kind of traditional battlefield. Tipat and bantal began flying in every direction, but the atmosphere remained festive and full of togetherness. The tipat bantal war begins with so much fun.
The participants formed groups and faced one another along the road. Both men and women took part. As the ritual continued, ketupat and sticky rice snacks repeatedly soared into the afternoon sky.
The sound of baleganjur gamelan music added even more energy to the celebration. The traditional instruments echoed through the area as the crowd continued throwing food back and forth.
Despite the appearance of a battle, there was no anger or hostility among the participants. Instead, the exchanges were filled with laughter and cheers. The interactions created a strong sense of familiarity among the people taking part, turning what could look like a fierce confrontation into a joyful communal festival.
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The unusual nature of the event also caught the attention of foreign tourists who happened to be at the location. Rather than simply watching from the side, several visitors decided to take part and experience the tradition themselves.
According to Travel Detik, one of the foreign tourists who attracted attention was Dmitry, a visitor from Russia. He spontaneously joined the line of participants and, together with his friend, enthusiastically moved through the crowd of local residents.
Around him, people were busy throwing ketupat and traditional sticky rice snacks into the air. Dmitry did not appear hesitant at all. He smiled widely and showed his excitement as the food flew around him.
“This is one of the best celebrations we have ever attended. This is our first time, and we are very proud to see this event,” Dmitry said.
His experience reflects how the tipat bantal tradition can offer foreign visitors something beyond the usual sightseeing experience in Bali. Rather than observing from a distance, tourists can become part of a local celebration and experience the atmosphere alongside the community.
The sense of hospitality among local residents also became an important part of the experience for other foreign visitors. Their warm welcome helped create an atmosphere that made the celebration feel even more enjoyable for those experiencing it for the first time.
Maria, a tourist from the Czech Republic, was also impressed by both the location and the people she met during the event.
“This place is very beautiful and the people are very friendly. I am very happy because this is my first time,” she said.
The annual Aci Tabuh Rah Pengangon tradition therefore offers a distinctive cultural experience in Bali. It combines religious rituals, traditional clothing, local food, gamelan music, and community participation in a celebration that is both energetic and welcoming.
For local residents, the event remains part of an annual tradition at Kapal Traditional Village. For foreign tourists, the celebration provides an opportunity to experience Balinese culture directly, not simply by watching it, but by becoming part of the festivities.
The sight of people throwing tipat and bantal along the village road may look unusual to visitors unfamiliar with the tradition. Yet behind the lively atmosphere is a communal celebration where laughter, friendliness, and shared participation take center stage.
The growing interest from foreign tourists also shows how local traditions can become memorable experiences for international visitors. In Kapal Village, the combination of cultural rituals and the openness of the local community gives tourists a chance to see another side of Bali beyond its more familiar attractions.
