There is a place in Bali which is famed for its wood carving art and that place is called Mas Village. It’s much more than a living art gallery and is, in fact, a full crafting society in a Balinese village.
It’s very much worth visiting and our guide will explain how to get there, what’s there, and what to expect from your trip.
Where Is Mas Village?
Mas Village is in the Gianyar Regency just outside of Ubud in the Ubud District.
Address: Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia
How Do I Get To Mas Village?
If you’re staying in Ubud, then the best way to visit Mas Village is to get a Grab or a Gojek as it’s just a short journey from the town and it won’t be expensive.
However, if you’re coming from further afield, you might want to weigh up whether to use a Grab or a Gojek ride-share or to hire a private car and driver for the day.
This is very inexpensive (about 500,000 IDR which is around $35 USd and $50 AUD) and means that once you’ve spent some time enjoying the wood carving crafts of Mas Village, you can visit other places in the area or even carry any wood carvings that you’ve purchased back to your hotel.
You can, of course, get there by scooter too but we don’t recommend using scooters in Bali. The roads aren’t good, driving is erratic and it’s hard to be road-legal which means you may find you’re not properly insured when you have an accident.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Mas Village?
There is no bad time of year to visit Bali or Mas Village as much of the wood carving takes place indoors, you can enjoy the wood crafts, wood carving galleries, watch craftsmen making wood carving artwork, etc. without worrying about any rain.
And given that it only rains briefly most days even in the rainy season, you shouldn’t let the wet season deter you from exploring the island, anyway.
Is There An Entrance Fee To Mas Village?
There is no entrance village to see the Mas Village carving arts and you are not required to join a tour party to enjoy time at the wood carving center.
There are open wood carving galleries throughout the town and you can see the Balinese carving art practised at any of them.
However, if you do join a tour, you may get to see some of the other tourism countryside around Ubud and, in particular, Tohpati Village (famous for batik work) and Celuk Village (famed for its silversmiths).
The History Of Mas Village
There is an origin story to the village of Mas and it comes from the Majapahit Kingdom era.
It’s said that a noble Brahmin Dang Hyang Niratha fled the Javanese court and moved to Bali as the Majapahit Kingdom was experiencing severe decline and it was considered unsafe to be there.
After arriving in Bali he became a member of the royal court and began to teach a nobleman, Raden Mas Willis, on matters of cultural and social importance.
The two men became some such good friends, that Dang Hyang Niratha was wedded to Raden Mas Willis’ daughter.
Their children took the title “Brahmin Mas” and the place they lived became the “village of Mas”.
Radem Mas Willis went on to become Prince Manik Mas and ruled over the area that his old friend had settled in.
It’s said that the Brahmin foresaw that the village would become experts in wood crafting and that he planted a tangi tree in the temple grounds to begin growing wood for crafting with.
The villagers would have begun by learning to make basic flower and leaf patterns, fruit motifs, etc. but once they began to carve wood into convex and concave shapes, they became full craftsmen.
Originally, the village made masks for the royal family of the previous royal era in Bali but today, their work encompasses much more than masks and is sought after by local residents and foreign visitors, alike.
About Mas Village
The village is a haven of activity from Monday to Saturday, but on Sundays, much of the area takes the day off. So, it’s best not to go on a Sunday.
The work of the craftspeople here has developed many times over the years since they produced the first carving art here and, in particular, there was a huge change during the 1920s and 1930s, when European artists such as Walter Spies, arrived in Bali and began to influence the local arts including the wood craft places of the village of Mas.
Today, the village is full of carving tables in galleries and workshops creating pieces for the national and world-level art buyer.
Famous Wood Carvers From Mas Village
There are three very famous carving families in the village and they each began with a particularly influential carver. They are:
Ida Putu Taman (1873-1953)
He was one of the earliest sculptors in the village and was part of the direct Brahmana dynasty. His son continued his work and set up the ADIL Art Shop in 1958 after his father’s death.
The style of carving that was championed by Ida Putu Taman was a global hit during the 1970s as the ADIL art shop was very popular with global travel companies.
Ida Bagus Tilem (1936 – 1993)
Ida Bagus Tilem was a legend among craftspeople and he had over 100 apprentices at one point!
His work was chosen to represent Indonesia at the World Fair in New York in 1964! He is considered to be one of the biggest creative talents to have worked out of Mas.
Ketut Rodja (1902 – 1965)
Ketut Rodja was a personal friend of President Sukarno and his work is highly collectible in Indonesian circles.
He founded the very first art gallery in Bali, which is still open in the village today.
Wood Carving Class
There is a wood carving centre, in the heart of the village, where you can learn skills from a wood craftsman and make your own small piece to take home with you.
What Else Is There At Mas Village?
There are a few other things to see at the village and they include:
Boutique Stores
There are a lot of art stores and local fashion stores dotted around the village and foreign tourists can buy anything from typical carvings to wall decorations and dresses.
Rudana Painting Museum
This completely free gallery collects some of the finest local art and it’s presented in a gorgeous compound environment that’s well worth a visit.
Big Baby Statue
This fascinating statue is part of the local culture and it symbolizes the creation of human life in the Hindu faith. Local couples may pray at this statue to be granted the blessing of a child.
Where To Eat At Mas Village?
There’s really only one place to eat at the village and that’s the famous:
Ibu Oka’s Babi Guling Stall
If you haven’t tried Bali’s famous roast suckling pig, this is a great place to do so. The portions are more generous than in most warungs and very tasty!
FAQS
What Is Mas Ubud Village?
Mas Ubud Village is a place that specializes in the wood carving art of traditional Bali and it’s just outside of Ubud.
Is Mas Village Worth It?
Yes! You don’t have to have a passion for wood carving art to enjoy seeing wood carvings being made or to learn about wood crafts.
The process is fascinating and it’s nice to see that carving wood is a tradition that is maintained in Bali even now that tourism and modernity are creeping in everywhere.
How To Book A Tour Of Mas Village?
We always recommend that you book your holiday in Bali and any tours, flights, accommodation, etc. here through the Bali Res Centre.
That’s a locally owned travel specialist that can ensure you get the best deals and the right local information to have an amazing time here.
Final Thoughts On Mas Village And Wood Carvings
The wood carvings of Mas Ubud Village are part of an artistic countryside tradition that goes back decades and experiencing this in person lets you better understand the history and culture of Bali.
You don’t need to buy anything to enjoy this contact point from an era when Bali fundamentally identified as an agrarian society and the village’s popularity was at its peak.
If you’re passing through Ubud, then stopping at Mas Village is a great idea and there’s much more to the place than art shops aimed at tourists.
