Reflection 15: Before we dive in, do a few minutes of internet research and see what you find about Tulamben. You can use the following prompts :
- What can you tell about the region Tulamben is located in?
- What is the average salary?
- What kind of jobs do people do?
- What are the educational and job opportunities for young people in the community?
Then, check out these tabs to learn about the assets this community has and some challenges it faces.
Assets
Tulamben is located in Eastern Bali on the northern coast. It is part of Karangasem Regency and run by local town government and village chiefs. It is relatively rural and hosts a savannah-like landscape with a central volcano, Mt. Agung, in the background of the town. Just down the road, you can reach black rocky beaches where local fishermen leave early in the morning for their daily catches. Mt. Agung is the highest volcano on the island and is one of the most sacred natural sites for Balinese people. Its spiritual power is renowned and locals often highlight what a great place it is to meditate and gather positive and holy energy.
Aside from fishing, the major economic industries are scuba diving and related tourism in the town as well as in the neighboring town Amed. Tulamben is well-known by divers due to the USAT Liberty Shipwreck that is home to tremendous biodiversity in its coral reefs. Tulamben is home to a strongly knit local community dispersed among a few main villages (Desa Tulamben, Muntig, Rubaye, Batu Ringgit, Batu Dawa) and consists of about 8,000 people.
Challenges
Educational attainment levels for many adults in Tulamben are up to elementary and high school education, and most children do attend public school. Aside from and even within those working in tourism (dive shops, hotels, restaurants), many people have limited English proficiency. In terms of infrastructure, there are formal government buildings and temples, various shops and food stalls. There is currently no centralized waste management system. Transportation can be a challenge due to distances between places, which mostly require motorbike or other car transport. In terms of its economic opportunities, many men will leave for Bali’s main city, Denpasar, to look for work to send remittances (money) to support their families.
Bali itself, and small towns like Tulamben, are undergoing a constant dilemma between modernizing practices (driven by economics and tourism) and maintaining tradition (which is time-consuming and can be very costly). There is a question of what should be adapted and what should stay, since Bali’s unique cultural heritage is a key part of what makes it such an attractive destination. You will see many examples of this during your time in Bali and exploring this topic more can be a focus of your learning journey.