Baru di Bali

GUARDIAN OF THE BALINESE TRADITIONS

It’s not a secret that the sensuous Balinese women bewitch a lot of men. Their sexuality remains firmly anchored in Balinese life, expressed in popular folktales, arts, mythologies and mystical rites. Yet, not many know that, behind their glorious outer looks, the Balinese women experience a rather not pretty story in carrying out their duties as a woman...

What is a city without the traffic; certainly, as the island’s capital, Denpasar doesn’t lack this element. However, traffic is not the only thing decorating the city, as museums, parks, monuments and colorful traditional markets are also making the city worth a visit. Anyway, of all the attractions found in Denpasar, Pasar Burung is probably the kind that can add a different experience during...

In Bali, just like in other parts of the world, having a baby is probably one of most exciting moments in life —of course, if the baby is expected. However, for Balinese people the meaning of having a baby extends from the continuation of family cycle to the persistence of their religious, cultural and other communal practices. Therefore, the Balinese people treat their newly born babies very...

Racing for Love…and Coffee!

Balinese men’s infatuation towards sporting events involving fowl has gradually turned into a gentler kind. Although, unfortunately, cock fighting is still often practiced in villages across the island, the Balinese men of Griya Anyar (outskirt of South Denpasar) have left the so-called brutal excitement to something else ‘compassionately’ entertaining: pigeon...

Deadly Curves

The widespread tales that a keris (a traditional dagger) possesses magical powers that allow it to fly or move by itself inside a cupboard have fascinated many. It is, therefore, many owners of a keris with superstitious belief normally conduct particular rituals to wash or ‘bathe’ it during certain auspicious times such as the first month of the lunar year or full moon. The...

Barong is probably the most well known dance in Bali. It acts as a story-telling, narrating the fight between good and evil. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one attractive ‘show’.

The story goes with Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, the King of Bali in the tenth century, was condemned by Erlangga's father...

The Balinese music is extremely complex and vibrant. Known as an island whose native’s lives are inseparable from religious beliefs, the traditional music in Bali is intended to accompany the many rituals and other religious practices including dances. The traditional Balinese orchestra, known as gamelan, is composed of various forms of percussions (instruments that are hit) with overlapping...

As the only Hindu-dominated province in Indonesia, Bali is unique due to its practices of ancient traditions. The Hinduism in Bali is also different especially because all the religious teachings are deeply interconnected with arts, rituals and animist beliefs. One aspect that is derived from this diversity is the appliance of caste system within the Balinese society. Forms of hierarchy have...

Sarong is a length of fabric wrapped around the waist and worn as a kilt by men and as a skirt by women.

In Bali, when attending Hindu ceremonies, it is a must for everyone to wear sarong.

There are two types of ceremonial/praying sarong, and they are called kamen (inner layer) and saput (outer layer). Women only wear kamen during the ceremony while men wear both kamen and saput.

Colors of the...

A Balinese friend of mine once said that he hasn’t had a complete meal unless he has had rice. As you probably know, rice is the basic food for most of Asians. However, it is more than just staple food for Balinese - it is the basis of life itself. Endowed with such fertile and arable lands, the Balinese also practice their creativity with the rice and offerings to show their gratitude....