Art and culture of "Penjor" as media Expression of harvest and religious celebration In Bali Island, Indonesia and its commodification

Various regions and cultures have their own ways of celebrating the harvest. These celebrations are often linked to spiritual or religious beliefs, viewing the harvest as a gift from a supernatural power or from God. Harvest celebrations are also frequently expressed through various artistic forms. This study describes harvest celebrations in Bali, Indonesia, where many residents remain engaged in agriculture and plantation farming. While the island is renowned as a global tourist destination, its people steadfastly maintain their traditions—particularly the practice of erecting penjor during harvest times and major religious festivals, which are deeply rooted in Hinduism. A penjor is crafted from bamboo, with its base and tip curved to mimic the form of the deity of the earth's bounty, the Dragon King (Naga Antaboga). The bamboo is adorned with various palm fronds, such as coconut and sugar palm leaves, and agricultural produce is hung from the structure. These penjor are planted along the roadside in front of the entrance to a household compound. Balinese residents believe the penjor serves as a talisman to attract prosperity; consequently, they craft them with great care to ensure abundant blessings in the future. Over time, the use of penjor has evolved beyond harvest and religious observances; their forms and functions have been commodified for use in various celebrations and festivals unrelated to agriculture or religion. Even in urban areas where residents no longer farm, the tradition persists through the purchase of penjor from commercial vendors—marking a cultural shift from the practice of self-crafting using one's own agricultural produce to commercial acquisition as a means of preserving the tradition.