Analyzing through Folklore: The Ecological Impact of the Dewi Sri Myth

When we talk about saving the planet, we usually talk about the future. We talk about switching to electric cars, inventing new biodegradable plastics, and building massive solar farms. We tend to view “sustainability” as a modern invention, a brand-new concept we are scrambling to figure out before time runs out.

But what if the blueprint for a greener world isn’t actually in the future but is hidden in the stories of the past?

It is widely believed in Indonesia that rice fields are an important part of life. They state that farming is not just about hard work; it is also guided by cultural beliefs. These beliefs do not come from modern laws or international agreements but from traditional stories. One of the most famous is the story of Dewi Sri, the Goddess of Rice and Fertility.

In Bali and Java, Dewi Sri is known as the mother of rice and the goddess of life and fertility. According to Javanese traditional beliefs, rice first grew from her body, which means it is seen as a sacred gift, not just a crop (Nasi dalam Sejarah, Tradisi, dan Kehidupan Masyarakat Indonesia). That’s why it is believed that Dewi Sri represents the rice itself. Her presence is reflected in many aspects of daily life, from simple rituals—like placing small amounts of rice along the edges of fields to ward off pests and negative forces—to larger temple ceremonies where people prepare detailed offerings made from colored rice paste to honor her (INDONESIA | BALI: Myths, History & Folklore of RICE – Nasi.)

Because of this belief, people do not see the land as just soil or rice as just a product to sell. Instead, nature is respected as something alive and important.

Dewi Sri is believed to govern birth and life, as well as the rice fields and the growth of crops. Because of this, she is seen as having power over the livelihood, prosperity, and well-being of Balinese rice farmers. In the past, many Javanese and Balinese kingdoms showed deep respect to her by offering elaborate gifts, hoping to secure consistent and successful harvests. Abundant rice was closely linked to wealth and the survival of their kingdoms.

One of the rituals that is still practiced by Javanese communities in relation to seeking safety and showing respect to Dewi Sri is wiwitan.

 The Wiwitan tradition is one of the slametan rituals in Java. Originally, it was performed as an offering to Dewi Sri as a form of gratitude from the community for the harvest they had received (PERRUBAHAN TRADISI WIWITAN DALAM ERA MODERNISASI (STUDI PADA PETANI DI DESA BALAK, KECAMATAN CAWAS, KABUPATEN KLATEN) RINGKASAN). These traditions teach people to see nature as part of their lives, not something separate. They remind people that humans are not the owners of nature, but only the caretakers.

In Bali, this philosophy is also used in the Subak system, which is a traditional way of managing water for rice fields. Farmers share water fairly through a system connected to temples. This prevents anyone from taking too much water and helps protect the environment. This idea becomes even stronger because Subak reflects the philosophical concept of Tri Hita Karana (Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy - UNESCO World Heritage Centre). This means “three causes of well-being.” It teaches that happiness comes from balance in three relationships: between humans and God, between humans and other people, and between humans and nature.

Each subak carries out ritual offerings to the goddess and other deities at their respective water temples. These temples also function as meeting places where farmers choose their leaders and collectively decide on irrigation schedules. Subak groups that depend on the same water source come together in a network of regional water temples, where they coordinate and agree on planting schedules across the entire watershed (Bali’s World Heritage rice-field system on brink of collapse | World Agroforestry | Transforming Lives and Landscapes with Trees) Because temple leaders decide the planting and harvesting schedule, all farmers follow the same timing. This creates natural rest periods for the land. During these times, pests cannot grow easily, so farmers do not need to use many harmful chemicals. This shows how traditional systems can naturally protect the environment.

At first, these things might seem like simple traditions. But if we look closer, they are actually smart and effective ways to take care of nature.

When people believe that land is sacred, they treat it carefully. They do not overuse the soil or pollute the water. Long before modern science talked about sustainability, traditional societies were already practicing it.

However, modern farming has changed this. Many farmers now focus on producing as much as possible in a short time. The land is treated like a machine, using many chemicals to increase production. As a result, soil becomes damaged, water gets polluted, and ecosystems are harmed. While production has increased, the connection between humans and nature has weakened.

Today, we already depend too much on modern technology to solve environmental problems. Even so, it is also important to learn from the past. We do not have to literally believe in Dewi Sri to understand the message behind the story: the earth should be respected, not exploited.

To build a truly sustainable future, maybe the first step is simply remembering how to respect the ground beneath our feet.