In the Balinese culture, the spirit of togetherness can be nearly seen everywhere. One for example is megibung, Megibung is a tradition that is owned by the residents of Karangasem. The word comes from the Balinese word gibung which is given the prefix me, where gibung means sharing food from one person with another. it is a tradition that is done by many people, by sitting and eating together, while discussing and sharing opinions.
Megibung Tradition was first introduced by Karangasem’s King, namely I Gusti Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, around year 1614 Caka or 1962. It was brought by I Gusti Anglurah Ketut Karangasem durng his victory of a war in conquering the kingdoms in Sasak, Lombok. In the past, when the king;s soldiers were eating, the king made a rule of eating together in a circular in together with his soldiers. During the feast, the King enjoyed togeherness with his troops so much, it tore down the sosial differences between them all.
Megibung starts with residents preparing food on a tray that has been covered with banana leaves, with both the rice and the side dishes presented in a huge plate made out of banana leaves or woven coconut leaf, which is called gibungan while the side dishes and vegetables are called karangan or sela-an. Traditionally, the activity consists of groups up from five to eight people. Each sits in a cross-legged, forming a circle formation and each group is led by a pepara, who is in charge of pouring rice and side dishes onto the tray, while the meat is the last side dish that will be lowered.
while participating in the activity, eating ethics would also need attention. That includes washing hands first. When eating, you are not allowed to drop leftovers from feeds and not allowed to take food that is right beside us. If there has been an individual that is already full, he is not permitted to leave the place or leave their friends and if an individual finish eating before the others, he should not leave before the rest have finished eating.
Drinks are also prepared for the activity, but instead they are stored in clay jars. Residents drinks from the jars through the edge of the jar and hot touching the part of the jar named nyeret. Nut, since the incoming new global advancements, it is more pratical. Residents don’t have to drin from the jars, and replaced with bottled mineral water.
This traditional activity is a legacy from the past ancestors that is still preserved. The togetherness from this activity doesn’t actually start right from the moment of dining, but before. The solidarity begins from gathering the ingredients for all the dishes, and with the help of women, together they prepare all the items, which includes satay, lawar, park, jackfruit salad, soup, and many more.
Megibung can also be done by non-Karangasem residents, and anywhere around Bali, except Java. The tradition is not only carried out by Karangasem residents who are Hindus, but Muslim communities in Karangasem ar also used to holding out megibung events. If you want to experience megibung feast by yourself, you could do it manually by making a feast and eating together, or you could try restaurant that offers their own delicious take on this traditional meal.