Culture

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 […]

Bali is well known as the Island of the Gods, and an island of paradise. Foreigners will think of Bali when they talked about Indonesia. Or, sometimes Bali is more famous than the country. The tourism industry is a major sector of the Bali economy and cultural heritage is the main attraction of tourists from […]

Bali is an island in Indonesia and actually, it’s just a small part of the country. Even with so many islands and regions, most people both Indonesian and tourists over the world recognise Bali as a sanctuary for a holiday or even living. – Submission by Angela Chandra Sangkala Sometimes a few people, especially those […]

Shinta, a fifteen year old girl, wakes up at 4.30 A.M every morning on school days. Before she prepares for school, she and her mother pray and bring offerings to their common family temple before sunrise. After that, she gets herself ready, rides her motorbike for 40 minutes to school – a public school, not […]