Kartini Day in Bali Prison: Foreign Inmates Learn Culture

RRI.CO.ID, Kerobokan - Inmates at the Kerobokan Class II-A Women’s Penitentiary in Badung Regency, Bali, celebrated Kartini Day by participating in a traditional Balinese salon workshop. On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the facility transformed into a hub of cultural exchange and vocational empowerment as inmates celebrated Kartini Day through a specialized salon workshop focusing on traditional Balinese aesthetics.

While the day commemorates Raden Ajeng Kartini’s legacy of female emancipation, this year’s festivities in Bali highlighted a unique intersection of rehabilitation and cultural integration. Among the 20 inmates selected for the intensive training were women from Ukraine, Thailand, and Argentina, who traded their standard prison uniforms for traditional kebaya (blouses), selendang (sashes), and kemben (torso wraps).

The workshop, led by professional salon practitioners, focused on the intricate art of sanggul (traditional hair buns) and Balinese ceremonial makeup. For many foreign nationals, the session served as a challenging introduction to local customs that go far beyond standard cosmetic routines.

“Usually I am used to natural makeup for everyday life, but this is Balinese sanggul training for different needs, so it’s a bit different because it’s my first time, so it’s quite difficult,” said Kasarin Khamkhao, an inmate from Thailand who has served seven years of a 16-year sentence for a narcotics conviction, as quoted by Antara.

The Warden of the Kerobokan Women’s Prison, Ni Luh Putu Andiyani, emphasized that these activities are more than just ceremonial. Each participant receives a certificate upon completion, providing them with tangible proof of skill acquisition that could aid their reintegration into society.

“Every time they receive training, they get a certificate as proof that they have received skills training,” Andiyani noted during the event on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

The celebration extended into a showcase of the facility's broader rehabilitation programs. Inmates took to the catwalk in a fashion show, parading with the poise of professional models to display handicrafts produced within the prison walls, including knitted scarves, hand-painted fans, and milk pie pastries. The event also featured a performance of Tari Nusantara (Archipelago Dance), showcasing the creative talents of the residents.

Beyond the aesthetic arts, the 258 inmates currently housed in the facility, which is operating at over double its intended capacity of 120, engage in a diverse range of vocational programs. These include the production of tempeh chips, nail care, poultry farming, catfish cultivation, and even viticulture, with inmates tending to melon and grape gardens.

The Kartini Day commemorations also integrated intellectual and spiritual development, with 80 inmates participating in sessions on spiritual counseling and political literacy. ***