Dusun Patoman Tengah Brings Balinese Charm to Banyuwangi

RRI.CO.ID, Banyuwangi - Nestled in the heart of Patoman Village, Blimbingsari, lies Dusun Patoman Tengah, better known to locals as Dusun Balian. Stepping into this hamlet feels like a sudden departure from East Java into the heart of Bali.

With its distinct Balinese architecture and towering family shrines (pura) integrated into residential yards, the village has earned a reputation as a living symbol of Indonesia's national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

The nickname Kampung Pancasila (Pancasila is Indonesian's principles way of life, such as respecting difference) is not merely a title but a reflection of the daily life of its residents. Despite being a Hindu-majority enclave in a predominantly Muslim region, the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) remains the village's social backbone.

“There have never been any problems. If the Hindus have an activity, other faiths help out. Likewise, it’s the same the other way around; we complement each other,” said Head of Dusun Patoman Tengah, I Gede Yuda Permana, on Friday, May 8, 2026, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

The village’s spiritual center, the Pura Desa, doubles as a vibrant cultural academy. Here, local youth gather to master the intricate movements of traditional Balinese dance and the rhythmic precision of the gamelan, ensuring that their ancestral heritage remains a dynamic part of Banyuwangi’s cultural tapestry.

Beyond performance arts, Dusun Balian is home to a thriving creative economy. One notable figure is Kayan Suartana, a multi-talented artist and woodcarver who has been operating in the area since 2000.

Kayan, who once received an award from former Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas for his cultural dedication, specializes in unique wood and sand-based carvings. His artistic creations, ranging from home ornaments to intricate statues, are now highly sought after in Bali, Nganjuk (East Java), and Central Java.

The village’s innovation extends into the agricultural sector, where residents have successfully pioneered the cultivation of Long Pepper (Cabe Jawa or Cabe Puyang). This high-value spice has become a lucrative alternative to traditional crops due to its resilience and simpler maintenance requirements.

Farmer Made Ardana, who manages roughly 1,000 trees across a 3,000-square-meter plot, highlighted the crop's efficiency. “Maintenance is simpler than regular chili. After harvesting, you just boil them and then dry them in the sun for about three days,” he explained.

With dried Cabe Jawa fetching prices of up to IDR 85,000 per kilogram, the village has tapped into a booming global market. High demand for the spice, particularly from industries in Japan and China for cosmetic production, has turned this small Banyuwangi hamlet into an essential link in the international supply chain. ***