In the village of Manggis, the life of its people is inextricably linked to their land. As farmers, they know their soil better than anyone else. It is not only their primary source of income, but also where they live and raise their families. This is why in 2021, the local community decided to transition to organic farming methods, which they believe are healthier for both the environment and their children. Discova facilitated this shift and also noticed that the female farmers wanted to do something of their own.
Typically, women in this region of Bali have limited access to education and limited opportunities to explore jobs and skills to empower themselves. This is why most of them end up marrying at a young age, relegating them to a secondary role in everyday life. This desire to play a more active part in their village resulted in the formation of the Bakung Asri Women Farmers’ Group four years ago.
The group now comprises 27 women, of whom 11 have trained to lead the cooking classes at Kaura, our eco-conscious immersive retreat, and introduce guests to Bali’s flavourful and aromatic cuisine. As an authentic execution of the farm-to-table concept, most of the produce comes from the group’s organic garden, which grows a wide array of vegetables like long beans, eggplant, spinach, and tomato and herbs like lemongrass, turmeric and ginger.
Ibu Sari, a member of the Bakung Asri Women Farmers’ Group, says, “I feel happy to welcome tourists coming to Manggis Village, as it inspires us, women, not just to be housewives but work together to financially support our families.”
Since the village is home to abundant coconut trees, the remaining 16 members have devoted their attention to hosting a hands-on workshop, where visitors can learn about the traditional extraction process used for producing Virgin Coconut Oil. From grating and squeezing the coconuts to the gentle fermentation process, every stage is done by hand with tools passed down for generations. Nothing here goes to waste; every husk, every drop finds a new purpose in food, health, or skincare. Beyond learning the process, guests also discover how this zero-waste tradition sustains families and empowers women, all while crafting an elixir that has nourished Bali for centuries.
The same coconut oil is also used for an immersive body butter workshop where raw ingredients are transformed into a nourishing balm for the skin. As guests stir, blend, and pour, they hear stories of how this craft has become a source of empowerment and sustainable income for the community. At the end, they leave not only with their own hand-made body butter but also with the knowledge that each jar carries the resilience and care of the women who combined their traditional wisdom with professional training to make this initiative possible.
“We love learning and exploring new ways of highlighting our culture and traditions. That is why we were excited about making new products like body butter and salve and telling our community’s story through them,” says Nengah Suci, another member of the group.
Taking bi-weekly English classes at Kaura’s Learning Hub has hugely contributed to the confidence with which these women welcome tourists to their community, and ultimately contribute to the environmental and economic well-being of their village.
“I was initially a bit concerned and scared that I wouldn’t be able to properly communicate with tourists. But these regular English classes have helped considerably in my day-to-day interactions,” adds Nengah.
As of today, the Bakung Asri Community is an integral part of the Kaura experience. Their homegrown culinary and farming expertise, cultural knowledge and life stories underscore how Kaura is built on human connection. Your visit to this incredible part of Bali is an invitation to slow down, and truly immerse in your natural surroundings, while directly supporting the socioeconomic welfare of these remarkable women, their families and future generations.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Kaura!
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