We are a collaboration of writers, artists, students and scholars that is working with the community to co-create a multilingual superhero who harnesses indigenous knowledge from Bali, Indonesia to motivate, educate, and empower youth to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We're making a superhero who empowers youth to improve their communities.

Who are we?

We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called BASAbali.  BASAbali is a collaboration of animators, illustrators and writers who are trying to keep the culture, language, and environment of Bali strong.  BASAbali won the 2018 International Linguapax Award and a 2019 UNESCO award for Literacy.  BASAbali co-created the superhero, Luh Ayu Manik Mas, in conjunction with the community.  

Who is Luh Ayu and Luh Ayu Manik Mas? 

By day, our superhero is Luh Ayu, an 8th grade Balinese girl.  When the need arises, Luh harnesses energy from her Balinese tridatu bracelet to transform in Luh Ayu Manik Mas, an indigenous superhero who is authentically Balinese, imbued with Balinese wisdom, and appeals to modern sensibilities. Her bracelet transforms into one of several traditional Balinese weapons.  Luh Ayu Manik Mas is one of the first modern teen Indonesian superheroes.   

How does Luh Ayu Manik Mas speak with the community?

Luh Ayu Manik Mas speaks directly to the community through her own social media handles.  She's multilingual, so feel free to speak with her in Balinese, Indonesian or English.  And, with thanks to Twitter, she has her own emoji!

How does Luh Ayu Manik Mas motivate youth to improve their communities?

Luh Ayu tries to encourage youth to value and take responsibility for the world around.  She helps youth develop the skills and motivates youth to take action to improve the environment, empower girls, encourage reading, and engage in civic action as part of promoting the sustainable development goals (SDGs).  Her adventures are informed by the community through her direct conversations with the public and are developed into multilingual adventures by local artists.

We're now publishing our 5th and 6th multilingual comic book.  The books have been funded by The Asia Foundation, National Geographic, United in Diversity and private donors.  They have been used by the US State Department to improve the ability of teachers in Indonesia to teach creative writing and to develop a joy of reading in their students.  A summary of these books is on our community wiki.

Listen to people singing to Luh Ayu from Bali, the US, and lots of places in between!

 

We created a short 2D animation of one of Luh Ayu's adventures. We now want to create a 3D trailer which we can use to interest investors and streaming services.

We need $5,000 to create a 3D trailer which we can use to interest investors and streaming services in a series of short (10 min) animations based on Luh Ayu's adventures.

Be part of the movement to develop indigenous animation with a social purpose. 

Donations are tax deductible in the US.

Along with the BASAbali team, here are the some of the people who will be involved in the 3D animation:

 Ni Nyoman Clara Lista Dewi is a National Geographic Young Career Grantee and the producer of the animation.

 Andrey Pratama is the artistic director and 3D animator.  His firm, True North, was selected for the 2020 Annecy Festival.

 Ida Bagus Arya Lawa Manuaba is the writer behind one of the Luh Ayu books and the writer of the 3D teaser we are aiming to create.

  Budi Utami is our editor in chief and financial manager.

 Nghurah Yudha is the Studio Head of the Kratoon Channel.  He created the 2D animation and the animation for this fundraising campaign.

 Ni Komang Dewi Juliana will be responsible for the narration in the new animation.

 Putu Eka Guna Yasa is the managing director of BASAbali Wiki and champions translations.

 

SUKSMA!  Thank you for supporting us!