The Sleeping White Wood

Title: The Sleeping White Wood
Photo Credit/Source: https://sawidji.com/2021/09/24/white-wood-of-bayan/
Artist / contributor: Dewi Dian Reich Dian Sawidji
Genre: -
Related Place: Sawidji Gallery

In English

A series of photographs exploring a different, subtler side of the White Wood of Banyan. The fearsomeness of time evident in the turns and creases of this beautiful Sacred Tree.

Botanical Notes.. The White Wood Tree of Banyan was thought to be a ‘Bunut’ Tree or ‘Banyan Tree. Like many similar Ancient Trees in Bali. However, statements from local residents confirm that the genus of the tree has not yet been expressly confirmed. By the Ministry of Forestry or any University research teams. Their reluctance to confirm the genus of the tree is due to some particularities.

It is said the White Wood does not flower but bears fruit (we were a direct witness to the abundance of fruit on The White Wood). It has also been said that the White Wood will shed all its leaves every few months. Though Banyan Trees may shed leaves to retain moisture, it is unusual for a tree to shed leaves this regularly in a moist climate. So for all these reasons, the villagers have continued to call this tree Pohon Kayu Putih Bayan (the White Wood of Banyan).

In Balinese

In Indonesian

Serangkaian foto menjelajahi sisi berbeda dan lebih halus dari kayu beringin yang putih. Ketakutan akan waktu terlihat jelas pada belokan dan lipatan pohon suci yang indah ini.

Catatan botanis... Pohon beringin putih disebut sebagai pohon ‘bunut’ atau beringin, seperti banyak pohon tua serupa di Bali. Namun, pernyataan warga setempat membenarkan bahwa genus pohon tersebut belum dapat dikonfirmasi secara pasti oleh Kementerian Kehutanan atau tim peneliti Universitas mana pun. Keengganan mereka untuk memastikan genus pohon tersebut disebabkan oleh beberapa kekhasan.

Konon, pohon kayu putih itu tidak berbunga melainkan berbuah (kami menjadi saksi langsung banyaknya buah kayu putih ini). Dikatakan juga bahwa pohon kayu putih itu akan menggugurkan semua daunnya setiap beberapa bulan. Meskipun beringin mungkin menggugurkan daunnya untuk mempertahankan kelembapan, jarang sekali ada pohon yang menggugurkan daunnya secara teratur di iklim lembab. Oleh karena itu, penduduk desa terus menjuluki pohon ini sebagai Pohon Beringin Kayu Putih.