Discover the art of woodcarving

Woodcarving is mainly done in the villages of Mas and Kemenuh, where you can visit a number of small workshops.

The wood used is local. Panggal Buaya (crocodile wood), for example, is widely used for statues. Its name is due to the appearance of its bark, which resembles the reptile's teeth. Teak, on the other hand, is used more for furniture. Finally, you'll also see many objects made from hibiscus, sandalwood and ebony, generally sourced from all over Indonesia and mainly from Bali, Java and Borneo.

As you enter the small village of Mas, you'll notice that the entrance to the village is marked by a huge statue of a baby, representing the fertility and childhood of the Balinese, before they move on to the other stages of their lives. As well as demonstrating the artistic skills of the village craftsmen, it also symbolises the philosophical and religious values of the Balinese.

Then head for the village's main street, where you'll find a large number of small and large woodcarving stalls. Each sculptor has a very different style, but you will surely notice the omnipresence of Hindu gods and animals in the various representations on offer.

You'll find all kinds of objects: religious or theatrical masks, statues, souvenirs for tourists. The wood used comes from all over Indonesia, especially Bali, Java and Borneo. Here, unlike other villages in Bali, it's not 'Panggal Buaya' that's used most, but local Wara wood. This wood has some interesting properties: as well as being very strong, it has a double colour, dark in the centre of the trunk and whiter on the outside.

Making these objects requires complex know-how: no fewer than three people have to work on it to complete it. The object has to be designed, sculpted, sanded and varnished. If the prices sometimes seem high, it's with good reason.