Culture

A new art gallery and cultural landmark, Ubud Diary, has opened in Lodtunduh – just south of Ubud – presenting a collection predominantly exhibiting paintings of the Ubud style.  Ubud Diary held its grand opening on the 30th of November, 2019, coinciding also with a book launching of ‘Ubud Diary: Celebrating the Ubud School of […]

It is a mistake to think that only bearded men with gleaming eyes seek ‘paradise’ by blowing themselves up in the middle of a crowd. Like it or not, Bali too has its own traditions of horror-inspired paradise seekers. Let us give it a look. Widows’ Sacrifice The most famous of these traditions relates to […]

This month’s painting is a very large work on canvas – 200 cm x 125 cm – by Ida Bagus (IB) Putu Padma. The image to the right is just a detail of the entire painting. The artist who created this vibrant canvas is a member of a family of well known painters. His grandfather […]

The Balinese believe that we were born with suka duka lara pati, which means that in life we go through happiness and sadness, and at the end death is absolute. This duality of life is like two sides of a coin, they are inseparable. There is also a strong belief that light will eventually come […]

Bali is a unique meeting point between tradition and modernity. One of its distinctions is its fascinating culture that is, however, under increasing pressure from outside influences and the Indonesian nation-state. Sited in Sukawati, on the main link from Denpasar east to the regency of Karangasem BentaraBudaya Bali Cultural Center plays a vital role in […]

The longest night of the year is a important ritual moment in the life of the Balinese. In the local lunar-solar Saka calendar, it falls on the 14th panglong lunar day of the seventh (Kapitu) month. Fully dedicated to the cult of Siwa, this night is called the Night of Siwa, or Siwa Ratri. The […]

Tri Hita Karana is the belief Balinese hold and I highly believe that’s what made Bali, The Island Of Gods. The way Balinese connect to God, nature, and people implemented in such a beautiful way on a daily basis. As long as we still experience some blocked roads because of ceremony, as we still see […]

Bali maintains its authenticity with a very strong foundation, not a foundation that is built easily and starts early. – Submitted by Livia Hutahaean Bali builds a high and sturdy foundation using faith and obedience to customs. Obedience which has become a basic culture and has greatly shaped the way in which Bali’s modernisation has taken […]

Modernisation and development, the buzz words of politics, are often double edged swords. An authentic lifestyle and indigenous system is soon overtaken by homogeneous monocultures. In spite of tourism, Bali has been able to keep the authentic vibe alive. But for how long will Bali be able to sustain its own unique way, culture and heritage […]

Halfway through my Ajik’s ambitious, juvenile journal was a picture of a man and his small son coddled up in his arms, in his decrepit outdoor home in Bali, in 1964. The child’s legs dangled comfortably in his embrace, his confused eyes glared white circles reflecting the camera’s flash. His father, dressed in a loose […]