Gebogan Competition at Undiknas: Tradition and Creativity in Welcoming Saraswati Day

Denpasar, February 7, 2025 – Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (Undiknas) held a Gebogan Making Competition as part of the 56th BUDINATA celebration and in anticipation of Saraswati Day. The event took place at the Undiknas Campus in Denpasar and involved the entire academic community, with each work unit at Undiknas required to create a gebogan that would later be offered during the Saraswati celebrations.

Gebogan, an artistic arrangement of fruits and traditional snacks, is a symbol of gratitude and respect in Balinese culture. In this competition, participants had to meet several key criteria:

• Using a Dulang Tusuk (traditional pedestal tray) as the base for the gebogan.

• Utilizing local fruits and traditional snacks as the primary materials.

• Creating decorative sampian from young coconut leaves (janur) directly on-site during the competition.

The competition was specifically designated for male members of the Undiknas academic community, while female members observed and appreciated the participants’ creativity in crafting their gebogan. Beyond sharpening creativity, this activity served as a platform to preserve the cultural values passed down from generation to generation.

The Gebogan Competition was not just a contest but also a moment of togetherness and cooperation among the Undiknas community. Each team collaborated to assemble their best gebogan, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and camaraderie across the campus.

Through this event, Undiknas aimed not only to instill Balinese cultural values in its students but also to strengthen the sense of unity in diversity. It is hoped that such traditions will continue to be preserved and passed down, inspiring future generations to honor and maintain their ancestral heritage.