Contents 1. Introduction 2. Subak : technicalities & schemes 3. Three main elements of Subak 4. Modern Challenge 5. Conclusion 6. References & Vocabularies


 Key points 1. The role of social and spiritual aspects in shaping water-related practices. 2. Subak as an irrigation system. 3. Preservation of cultural heritage with the conservation of water resources.

1. Indigenous and community-
based approach to water
irrigation system in Indonesia.
Thoriq Yahya Abdullah*
Gestion de l’eau
Licence 3 géographie et aménagement
20 November 2023
*Correspondance : thoriq-yahya.abdullah@etu.univ-cotedazur.fr
Traditional water irrigation system, Subak, in Bali (Kakardi, 2019).
Subak

2. Contents
i. Introduction
ii. Subak : technicalities & schemes
iii. Three main elements of Subak
iv. Modern Challenge
v. Conclusion
vi. References & Vocabularies
Key points
The role of social and spiritual aspects in shaping water-
related practices.
Subak as an irrigation system.
Preservation of cultural heritage with the conservation of
water resources.

3. i. Introduction
Zoom on Indonesia…
Bali in South East Asia. Image Source : Eats and Retreats (retrieved in 11/23)
3
Some facts about the island of Bali…
- The island has an area surface of 5,780
km2…(dpr.go.id, 2020)
- In 2023, it has a population of approximately
4.22 million…(Universitas Udayana Bali, 2023)
- Being just 8 degrees south of the equator,
average temperature stands at around 30 °C
and a humidity level of about 85% (Koppen-
geiger : Af & Am)…(ClimateData.org, retrieved in 11/23)
- Most of Bali is mountainous the highest point
being Mount Agung (an active volcano) at
3,142 metres...(Britannica, 2023)

4. Image : Mike Sowden (2020).
Rice fields in Bali, calm and quite, managed by the Subak water system…
Image : Gregory Rohan (2018).
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5. Contents
i. Introduction
ii. Subak : technicalities & schemes
iii. Three main elements of Subak
iv. Modern Challenge
v. Conclusion
vi. References & Vocabularies
Key points
Understanding the role of social and spiritual aspects in
shaping water-related practices.
Introducing the specific context of the Subak system.
Connecting the preservation of cultural heritage with the
conservation of water resources.

6. • The Balinese rely on natural water
sources like rivers and lakes located in
the mountains.
• The subak system manages the
distribution of these resources, ensuring
that the population across the region
receive the right amount of water in a
fair way.
• The existence of subak irrigation system
in Bali has been known since 1071 AD,
or approximately 1,000 years
ago…(Windia, 2010)
ii. Subak Water Irrigation
System
Image source : Mark Doliner (2012).
Image source : Maphill (2011).
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Key words : water distribution and community approach

7. 3 ways to happiness (Image : THK Bali, 2017).
Tri Hita Karana : the local wisdon behind Subak.
Brooks, J. et al. (2018).
7
Water temples promote harmony between humans and their environment through rituals that remind men of their dependence on the forces of nature.
Rice is perceived as a gift from the gods, and all subak is part of religious culture.

8. Subak Irrigation Scheme. (Norken, 2019)
1/
Water sources in subak generally come from stream or
spring water (from the mountains); then they flow
through all water distribution, then to the canal
(telabah) or tunnel (aungan).
Before the water reach paddy field, they will go through
the temples first for rituals/offering.
General water distribution in Subak 1/3
Image : Komunitas Empelan Pejeng on Facebook (2020)
8

9. Subak Irrigation Scheme. (Norken, 2019)
2/
For the distribution of water in the construction for water
division/distribution (tembuku).
In this stage, water are then distributed into paddy fields in the
upstream and then construction for water distribution
(tembuku) is built, so that water flows to the subak in the
downstream.
General water distribution in Subak 2/3
Image : Mark Doliner (2012)
9

10. Subak Irrigation Scheme. (Norken, 2019)
3/
The water that has been used by the subak is then channeled
through the drainage canal (telabah pengutangan).
It will then be transferred into the downstream via small canals
that go through the urban areas.
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Image : The Senior AU (2022) Image : Bali Post (2022)
General water distribution in Subak 3/3

11. Subak Irrigation Scheme
Scheme (left) by Hafied A. Gany (2001)
Scheme (below) by Wayan Windia (2014).
Keywords : temple, just distribution, rice fields, drought
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12. Contents
i. Introduction
ii. Subak : technicalities & schemes
iii. Three main elements of Subak
iv. Modern Challenge
v. Conclusion
vi. References & Vocabularies
Key points
Understanding the role of social and spiritual aspects in
shaping water-related practices.
Introducing the specific context of the Subak system.
Connecting the preservation of cultural heritage with the
conservation of water resources.

13. 1/ Material
2/ Social
3/ Values (spiritual)
13
iii. Three elements of Subak

14. Image source : Rekam Indonesia (2016) Image source : Gary Francis (2017)
1. Material : water divisions, canals, telabahs..
14
Image source : Gusti Bali (2023)
Key words : physical vs. non physical aspect of Subak

15. Image source : Wayan Windia (2014)
Image source : Wayan Windia (2014)
2. Social functions : resolution of conflicts both related to nature and human
Key point : bottom-up approach to conflicts by Subak members
Example of conflicts : drought, crop failure, natural disasters, internal conflict among members
15

16. 3. Values : individual* act of gratitude
Image source : Wayan Windia (2014)
Windia & Sedan, Universitas Udayana Bali (2010)
- Water temples located at the entrance of the subak's water supply
promote harmony between humans and their environment through
rituals that remind people of their dependence on the forces of
nature.
Rice is perceived as a gift from the gods, and the entire subak is an
integral part of religious culture.
16

17. 3. Values : individual* act of gratitude
Important note :
It is not “unscientific” but is derived through millennia of careful attention, consideration and experimentation.
It is intimately tied and finely tuned to the conditions of the local environment;
It is interwoven with cultural practices and values; survival depended on the accuracy of this information. (RDK Herman, 2008)
Image : Arabsalam on Wikipedia (2013)
Image Source : Indonesia Travel (2022)
Personal doc. Thoriq Abdullah (2022)
17

18. In other words, Subak represents the Balinese irrigation system,
embodying a cultural framework characterized by social autonomy, food
security, and the influence of religion.
It also reflects a commitment to secure water resources for :
- food production
- conflict resolutions
- ritual activities to express gratitude
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19. Contents
i. Introduction
ii. Subak : technicalities & schemes
iii. Three main elements of Subak
iv. Modern Challenge
v. Conclusion
vi. References & Vocabularies
Key points
Understanding the role of social and spiritual aspects in
shaping water-related practices.
Introducing the specific context of the Subak system.
Connecting the preservation of cultural heritage with the
conservation of water resources.

20. In addition to the shrinking of subak land areas, the challenge in subak is also related to various aspects,
such as: farmers are unable to achieve a decent life due to small amount of land ownership, decreasing
quantity of water resources and pollution, the age of subak members on average is over 40 years, the
financial burden of the farmers is weighty in carrying out subak activities (Norken et al. 2014)
The abandonment of the rituals, institutions, and norms that promoted collective action shifted the level
of selection down from the subak level to the individual. Decisions promoting technology and practices
ignored crucial group structures, institutions, and rituals, proving maladaptive in Bali's ecological and
cultural context. Subsequently, the system has largely returned to traditional practices. (Lansing 2006)
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iv. Challenges

21. Contents
i. Introduction
ii. Subak : technicalities & schemes
iii. Three main elements of Subak
iv. Modern Challenge
v. Conclusion
vi. References & Vocabularies
Key points
Understanding the role of social and spiritual aspects in
shaping water-related practices.
Introducing the specific context of the Subak system.
Connecting the preservation of cultural heritage with the
conservation of water resources.

22. In short, Subak showcases the effectiveness of a
grassroots approach to irrigation management,
working well without a strong central authority.
Its power lies in being independent and flexible, able
to adjust to the ever-changing environmental and
social factors. At its core, Subak demonstrates how
a decentralized system like this can successfully
navigate the complexities of water management.
22
Image source : MLD Spot (2023)
v. Conclusion

23. Contents
i. Introduction
ii. Subak : technicalities & schemes
iii. Three main elements of Subak
iv. Modern Challenge
v. Conclusion
vi. References & Vocabularies
Key points
Understanding the role of social and spiritual aspects in
shaping water-related practices.
Introducing the specific context of the Subak system.
Connecting the preservation of cultural heritage with the
conservation of water resources.

24. References (used in this presentation)
Doerr, F. (Producer). (2014). ”The Balinese Subak system of
water management in Indonesia [Documentary]”
https://youtu.be/g_9N0e4B2FU?si=Hti26cBR45qrXhVH
Brooks, J., Reyes-García, V. & Burnside, W. Re-examining
balinese subaks through the lens of cultural multilevel
selection. Sustain Sci 13, 35–47 (2018).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-017-0453-1
Windia, W., Sedana, G., & Sumiyati. (2014). ”Water and
Subak Irrigation System in Bali."
Norken, I. (2019). Efforts to preserve the sustainability of
subak irrigation system in Denpasar city, Bali Province,
Indonesia.
Further reading recommendations
Sriartha, I. P., & Giyarsih, S. R. (2015). Spatial Zonation
Model of Local Irrigation System Sustainability: A Case of
Subak System in Bali. International Journal of Geography.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/dcd0/4dc86b6168a0eb296b
0a831effe4c91754ba.pdf
Bruneau, M. (1972). "Irrigation et riziculture à Bali [note
critique]." Les Cahiers d'Outre-Mer, 25-98, 221-224.
https://www.persee.fr/doc/caoum_0373-
5834_1972_num_25_98_2620