Ferocious Wind Season in Tanah Lot PDF Print E-mail

Active ImageNew Year so close. Season in Tanah Lot will definitely change, specially on January and February. January and February are the turbulent phase of the weather in Tanah Lot. January and February known by the Balinese as Kapitu and Kaulu (seventh and eight month in Caka Lunar Calendar). Kapitu (January) is well known by Balinese for its ferocious wind which sweep the island with a terrible force but the wind does not reach its apex yet, the wind of Kaulu (February) adds more turbulent touch to the ferocious wind of Kapitu.

The wild wind of Kapitu  will blow mainly on the island at night and accompanied by the torrent rain. Fallen trees or collapsed structures (most of them are the impermanent structures) are common phenomena in this month. The turbulent wind of Kaulu is much stronger than the wind of Kapitu. A threat of typhoon sent from the Australia sometimes manifest into reality. The wind of Kaulu (February) will create a turbulent see and exceptionally high and strong waves.

Tanah Lot peoples poets usually use this turbulent sea to describe the turbulent feeling of broken heart, the verse from the poet mainly mainly use this clause, ‘sakadi ampehang ombak sasih ulu‘ translated literally into ‘as blown by the wave of 8th month’. The Kaulu (February) not just brings a turbulent wind but also torrent rain with lightning and thunder. Sun seldom appears in this month. ‘Basah Gede‘ or ‘Big Wet’ is the name given to this month by the traditional Balinese and Javanese astrologers. The great wind and torrent rain usually occur in the night diminishing the chance for Balinese to survive when a sudden storm strike, since they are deeply buried in their dream.

Bhuta Yadnya ceremonies (ceremony for balancing the positive and negative force of nature) will be held all over the island to appease the wrath of the nature and to avoid a terrible disaster that is brought by the torrent rain and wild turbulent wind.

No tanah lot fisherman is his right mind will risk his life to run his trade in this two-month period. The sight of hundreds of fishing boat lay on the beach is common sight during this two-month period. A serious drawback for the fishermen but a great advantage to the farmers since heavy rain of this period will supplies much water for the rice field and allows the farmer to start planting their rice fields. The view of green rice fields will dominate the inland of Bali. Nevertheless, the farmers have to be careful since the terrible wind will cause a great havoc to their green rice fields.