Bayung Gede Village: Quiet Bali Aga Life and the Placenta Grove of Kintamani

About 15–20 minutes before Penelokan in Kintamani, the road bends into a village that looks ordinary from outside: earth walls, straight lanes, cool air. Bayung Gede is one of the oldest Bali Aga villages in Bangli, and it keeps a tradition that no other village in Bali has.

A Bali Aga Village With Almost No Tourists

Bayung Gede sits at roughly 900 metres above sea level, so mornings here are cold and misty. Its houses stand behind uniform earth-and-stone walls, the village layout follows an ancient pattern, and residents still live by customary awig-awig law. The village is often described as the mother village of several other old customary villages. Anthropologists Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson even lived and carried out research here between 1936 and 1939.

Setra Ari-Ari: The Placenta Grove

On the southern edge of the village lies a small forest known as the setra ari-ari. The placenta of a newborn is not buried; it is wrapped inside a split coconut shell and hung from the branch of a bukak tree. Villagers believe their origins lie in wood, so the child is returned to the tree. This area is sacred — a place of ritual, not a photo backdrop.

Visiting Etiquette

• Ask for a local guide at the village hall before going near the setra ari-ari; never enter alone.
• Do not photograph freely in the placenta grove — ask permission first and respect a refusal.
• Dress modestly, covering knees and shoulders; bring a light jacket because mornings can be cold.
• Voluntary donation in the village donation box; there is no official ticket.
• Best time: early morning, while the mist still hangs and villagers go about their day.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: View on Google Maps
• Getting there: about 1 hour by road from Ubud via Tampaksiring, or 15–20 minutes from Penelokan; rent a scooter or car, as there is no public transport.
• Visiting: just turn up and report to residents or the village hall to arrange a local guide.
• Social media: search on Instagram

Pair it with an early morning at Penelokan for the view over Mount Batur, then drop down to Bayung Gede while it is still quiet. If you want to stay near Kintamani or Ubud, compare prices and book your hotel voucher first at AccessiaPass.