Controversy and the Role of the Existence of the Traditional Alcohol Beverages (Arak Bali) Industry on the Development of Custom Village

Aims: The discussion of traditional alcoholic beverages is an interesting and sensitive subject. Arak Bali is one of the traditional Balinese alcoholic drinks. This study examines further the controversy over the Balinese fermented and/or distillated beverage industry, especially after various regulations have been issued. In addition, this research also needs to pay attention to the role of the arak industry in the development of traditional villages.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study held during in the middle of 2022.

Methodology: This study is a descriptive study, where data were collected through FGDs, literature reviews, and questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques, both qualitatively and descriptively.

Results: Arak Bali as a prospective industry to improve the economic welfare of the community, by promoting it as a heritage-based product. The results of the FGD mapped several roles of the Arak Bali industry for the development of Traditional Villages, including community income, community empowerment, economic development of the Traditional Village, implementation of religious rituals, togetherness in the social community, preservation of local wisdom. The role of the existence of the Arak Bali industry in the Traditional Village which is the center of the industry is certainly greater in almost all indicators of traditional village development. Meanwhile, the role of the wine industry in religious ritual activities does not differ between traditional villages which are the center and non-centra of the Arak Bali industry.

Conclusion: In addition to consumption, Arak Bali is also used in religious rituals and traditional medicine. In general, the role of the wine industry in traditional villages in Bali is divided into economic functions, religious functions, and social functions. Where in the traditional village center for the Arak Bali industry, the role of the economy (income and community economic empowerment) is the most prominent. Whereas in the traditional village centers and non-centra of the wine industry, the role in religious rituals, togetherness in social society and the preservation of local wisdom are important.