In Bali, the planting season begins with a process called matekap or mlasah - loosening and leveling the earth. It happens in stages: NAMPADIN (clearing the weeds), NGELAMPIT (plowing, turning the soil), MLASAH (leveling the ground). The field is flooded with water before the plowing begins.
The farmer uses two bulls - one male, one female - tied to traditional wooden tools called the UGA, TENGALA, and SINGKAL. Then they're guided out into the middle of the mud and begin walking in circles around the field, breaking up the earth. And it's not just the cattle and the farmer you'll see out there - you'll also see flocks of KOKOKAN, white herons, coming down into the flooded fields looking for food.
I still remember it - me and the other kids my age playing in the mud, chasing each other, heavy footsteps and wild laughter running from whoever was "it." Something I never see anymore. Children playing, moving, completely in the moment. No gadgets, just shouting and laughing.
I've learned that the Balinese ancestors were truly ethical people. People who deeply respected nature.
Matekap is almost impossible to find now. Most farmers use tractors - faster, more efficient. But without realizing it, we're losing something. The culture, yes, but also our connection to the earth itself. Because the cattle's waste - their dung and urine - becomes natural fertilizer. And there's something about the relationship between our hands, the animals, and the soil - what we call ibu pertiwi, mother earth - that a tractor just can't replicate.
MATEKAP (MEMBAJAK SAWAH)
Di Bali proses penanaman padi di awali dengan proses yang di beri nama metekap atau mlasah adalah proses penggemburan tanah dan proses perataan tanah. Adapun prosesnya meliputi: NAMPADIN (membersihkan gulma), NGELAMPIT (membajak, membalikan tanah), MLASAH (meratakan tanah).
Tanah akan terendam air sebelum di tekap/plasah. Petani akan menggunakan 2 sapi jantan dan betina, mereka akan di ikat di alat tradisional yang terbuat dari kayu yang di beri nama UGA, TENGALA, dan SINGKAL dan mereka mulai di arahkan untuk ke tengah2 lumpur dan mulai berjalan mengelilingi sawah menggemburkan tanah.
Tak hanya sapi dan pak tani yang akan kalian lihat, kalian juga akan melihat banyak burung KOKOKAN burung putih yang akan turun ke sawah2 mencari makanan.
Aku masih mengingatnya dimana aku dan teman2 sebayaku bermain di lumpur, kami bermain kejar2an, langkah berat dan tawa riang berlari dari kejaran mereka. Hal yang aku tak pernah lihat sekarang, dimana anak anak bermain, bergerak dan benar2 berada di momen saat ini, tak ada gadget hanya ada teriakan dan tawa.
METEKAP sekarang sudah sangat jarang ditemukan, kebanyakan petani menggunakan TRAKTOR di karenakan efesiensi waktu yang lebih singkat namun secara tidak sadar kita kehilangan BUDAYA dan keterhubungan dengan alam itu sendiri, karena kotoran dan air urine dari sapi bermanfaat menjadi pupuk alami. Serta bagaiman hubungan kita terhadap tanah (ibu pertiwi).
Aku belajar leluhur bali benar benar begitu beretika dan begitu menghormati alam.