Bali is a warm place. The cultural systems that’s applied in the community life make this island comfortable to visit. This is reflected in harmony and togetherness to manage their tradition. Subak irrigation system is one of them. Subak is an irrigation technology system on agricultural land. Often, Subak is also considered a cultural system because it is closely related to various aspects of Balinese life.

The Subak irrigation system has a foundation, namely the Tri Hita Karana concept. The concept of Tri Hita Karana can be interpreted as three relationships that cause happiness. The three of them include relationships with fellow humans, the natural surroundings, and with God the Creator. These three relationships are interrelated and one of them is illustrated through the subak irrigation system.

In practice, the relationship with nature is the availability of water for agricultural land. While with humans, the subak irrigation system is coordinated harmoniously for each farmer group. While the relationship with God the Creator is reflected by each group establishing the Temple as a place of worship together.

Subak has very important benefits for agriculture, specifically for irrigating rice fields. The irrigation process is using a control system to distribute it evenly. Now, as an organization, Subak has a role to prosper the farmers. In Bali, Subak is also a farmer community organization. Through the cooperative organization, the farm problems will be solved together.

Since the 11th century AD, the Balinese have been familiar with the subak irrigation system. There are two historical records that prove this. Before the establishment of the Besakih Temple, Subak has become an independent system in Balinese agricultural culture. Raja Purana Klungkung inscription from 994 Saka or 1072 AD states that suwak has become a practice in the irrigation system of rice fields. Subak is derived from the word suwak or kasuwakara. Another source in the form of Lontar Markandeya Purana also tells about the subak that has already existed as an independent system of Balinese agricultural society.

As a system, subak irrigation has organization structure in practice. Namely pekaseh or chairman, petajuh or deputy chairman, penyarikan or clerk, petengen or chamberlain, kasinoman or courier and so on. Well, in a system, there are also small groups called munduk, coordinated by the pengliman. With this structure, the subak irrigation system will be well organized.