Food Crisis Drives Piling Village to Relocate in 1901 and Preserve Ancient Temple Sarcophagus
The roots of Piling Traditional Village trace to an early settlement in Penebel known as Sarin Buana Village in the Bajra region. During the 15th and 16th centuries AD, members of this small community received a commission from Jro Subangnya of Puri Tabanan to construct a series of temples on Pucak Kedaton. Their work included Pura Pucak Kedaton, Pura Manik Celaka, Linggar Sari and Pura Jero Tengah. Driven by their leaders’ wish to draw near the mountain peaks and sacred sites, they established their first home at Tagel Sepit, a stretch of land recognized for its narrow shape. There they raised the Khayangan Tiga Temple, complete with the Linggayoni sarcophagus, which continues to be cared for by villagers today.
In the transition between the 19th and 20th centuries the community underwent a significant relocation. The settlement at Tagel Sepit suffered food shortages as ant infestations made agricultural efforts difficult. In 1901 group leaders opted to clear an expanse of forest to the south and lay the foundations of a new village. That act of clearing earned the site the name “Piling.” The original area in the north gradually became part of Jatiluwih, as the fresh southern territory took form as the heart of what is now Piling Traditional Village.
The composition of Piling Traditional Village today reveals a varied religious profile. Most residents practice Hinduism, yet Protestant missions began arriving in 1928. By 1936 believers had organized a congregation in Piling Kanginan, and that community soon expanded to other areas. Catholicism found a foothold in 1955 within the Abianbase quarter, encouraged by a local family and the ministry of Father Suberger, a German missionary.
A major crisis struck when Mount Agung erupted in the 18th century, leaving many villagers in distress. Father Suberger and his fellow missionaries responded with relief efforts that included free food distributions, educational programs and healthcare services. Clinics established at mission sites provided medical care at no charge. Those clinics doubled as venues for literacy classes and practical workshops in agriculture and carpentry. This spirit of compassion helped foster a deep connection between local people and the Christian faith, allowing both Protestant and Catholic congregations to flourish.
Springing from these humanitarian efforts, additional German volunteers continued to support the community through food aid, schooling initiatives and the expansion of healthcare facilities. Their presence introduced elements of European culture that have woven into daily routines, from architectural details to social gatherings. The story of Piling Traditional Village spans eras of challenge—crop shortages and natural disasters—as well as chapters of cultural richness and spiritual growth. Today, the village stands as a living record of the many changes that have shaped Bali’s diverse cultural fabric.
