Is Bali Hindu? Part Four: A Name at Last!
BY BRUCE W. CARPENTER In this, the final part in a four-part series, the slow and simmering process finally ends with an agreement on what to name the Balinese religion reaching a conclusion. While orientalist scholars had long before decided that the island was Hindu, the Balinese themselves would only enter the debate with the
Is Bali Hindu? Part Three: The Rise of the Balinese Intelligentsia
BY BRUCE W. CARPENTER In the 1920s, Bali would experience a new phenomenon, the rise of a western-style intelligentsia who would lay the foundation of a long, contentious debate about Balinese identity and religion. It was a direct result of the Dutch opening government schools with western curriculums in Buleleng Regency, a once proud independent kingdom
Kober Dewata Nawa Sanga: Flags of the Nine Guardians
Flags across the world are symbols of identity or purpose. Be it for countries, cities or organisations, the colours and icons featured on their representative flag will be deliberate, meaningful choices. Here in Bali, there are flags used for ceremonial purposes called kober, which are among the vibrant paraphernalia often seeing during ritual processions. Kober
A Beginner’s Guide to Balinese Dance
What is the role of dance in ceremony? What are the different categories of Balinese dance? The most foundational stances? Having an understanding of some of these fundamental questions is a great first step to appreciating what is an unimaginably rich and varied art form. Ubiquitous across the island, proudly performed on stage for the
A Soul in Limbo: The Curious Case of a Converted Balinese
The beautiful Ani, who rented the room next to Kadek, was a beautiful Madurese woman, but more urgently, she was also the victim of Kadek’s frequent peeping. A reputed scoundrel in Bali, but now a migrant in Jakarta, Kadek had few friends and fewer options of a suitor, but beautiful Ani had captured his imagination.
The Puputan Badung: Artist Marmar Herayukti Reimagines a Heroes Monument
Multidisciplinary Balinese artist, Marmar Herayukti, recently revealed his latest artistic work with the unveiling of ‘The Puputan Badung’ diorama in Denpasar. This new display has reimagined an existing iconic statue, Monumen Puputan Badung, made in remembrance of one of Bali’s most significant historical moments. Bali’s ‘puputan’, or mass ritual suicides, committed during Bali’s war against
Unique Celebrations: Bali’s One-of-a-Kind Festivals
There is a concept in Bali called ‘Desa Kala Patra’, which translates to ‘place’, ‘time’ and ‘situation’. It is a philosophy that encourages tolerance to the differences around the island, be it between regions or even neighbouring villages. The idea is that a people or place are shaped by their different circumstances, histories, geographies, and
A Historical Look at the Musical Instruments of Bali and Java
Traditional music in Indonesia reflects the country’s multicultural heritage, drawing influences from Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and indigenous traditions. The archipelago is home to many musical styles and instruments. Music here is not just entertainment, but a rhythm that courses through daily life, festivals, politics and spiritual rituals. From ancient courts to bustling markets, music unites
Behind The Apurva Kempinski Bali’s Majapahit-Inspired Architectural Masterpiece
Taking a distinctive approach to honouring Indonesia’s ancient heritage, The Apurva Kempinski Bali in Nusa Dua presents a majestic display that mirrors the might and grace of the Majapahit Empire, a defining era in the nation’s cultural identity. Tasked with capturing the grandeur of this period, architect Budiman Hendropurnomo of Denton Corker Marshall and interior
Through Her Eyes: A Month of Art and Empowerment at COMO Uma Ubud
Delve into a month-long celebration of art, storytelling, and empowerment as COMO Uma Ubud launches a new edition of its immersive cultural programme – COMO Journey: Through Her Eyes – a 31-day exploration of creativity, feminine power, and self-expression, anchored in the serene surroundings of Ubud. The signature COMO Journey: Through Her Eyes event invites
Weaving Balinese Art and Culture Into Bali’s Most Iconic Hotels and Resorts
To many visitors, exploring the island’s rich culture typically means a trip to galleries and museums, where art, tradition, and history are on full display. But why should this experience be limited to these spaces when across the island, hotels and resorts have found their own ways to incorporate Bali’s artistry into their properties? Whether
Asta Kosala Kosali: Ordering Space, Mirroring the Cosmos
Asta Kosala Kosali is the traditional Balinese system of spatial and architectural rules that governs how buildings and compounds are planned, oriented, and proportioned. Though its details vary from village to village, the system provides a coherent grammar for organising the environment—defining not only where structures stand, but how they are approached, used, and understood.
A Meeting of Design Cultures
What happens when international designers are given an opportunity to meet and be inspired by Bali’s traditional crafts and artisans? Since 2022, CushCush Gallery have been facilitating this exact creative cultural exchange, with some fabulous results. Two curious stools stand in the corner of a showroom. Covered entirely with tightly-wrapped fibres, attached to the top
