Bali Religion
Islam & Mysticism in Indonesia
Indonesia is predomintantly Muslim but underlying that fact are a strong set of locally held beliefs, pre-dating Islam. The Balinese have made some of therse beliefs a part of their Hindu religion. The Muslims, however, have to run a double line, professing belief in Islam, while quielty going about their other proactices. An article in a guide book written by Bill Dalton talks about this.
Date: October 30th, 2006 |
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Shopping for wedding gear: Pasar Badung market, Denpasar Bali
This afternoon at Pasar Badung market in Denpasar, I went up to the 3rd floor, to look for a Balinese jacket, to wear at Wayan’s wedding. A lady in Global Xtreme, told me I could pick up one for 50,000-100,000rp.
Date: October 26th, 2006 |
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Lontar engraving in Tenganan Bali
Balinese artist, Kadek Ardita, showed me his family’s collection of Geringsings. He also sells single ikats, batiks and cloths made from kashmir-like material. His art is actually engraving.
Date: October 22nd, 2006 |
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History of Klungkung Bali
The town of Klungkung is the capital of Klungkung regency, which includes the islands surrounding Nusa Lembongan. Most tourists don’t visit Klungkung, but it has an important history.
Date: October 16th, 2006 |
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Visiting Besakih temple Bali
Besakih is known as the ‘Mother Temple’ in Bali. The largest and most important temple on the island, it sits on the western slopes of Gunung Agung. I visited Pura Besakih in 2003, along with 6 Balinese people and had a good experience. Visitors to Bali will be offered a trip to Besakih temple, by touts and streetside travel agents in Kuta and other places. Your experience may not turn out exactly as you had imagined though.
Date: October 10th, 2006 |
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Cockfighting in Bali explained
Cockfighting is part of the Balinese landscape. Anyone who drives around the island, especially on Sundays, will see large whicker baskets contains the fighting cocks at the roadside. This is to get them used to loud noises.
Date: October 28th, 2006 |
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Getting invited to a Balinese wedding
This morning at Cafe Seminyak, one of the waitresses invited me to her wedding. The way they do things over here sometimes makes me laugh. Wayan, told me a while ago she was getting married, but to keep it quiet. This morning, after I sat down, she slipped into the next door shop and dropped an invitation on my table. I’m sure all her work mates know about, but in Bali, pretending is a key part of the culture.
Date: October 24th, 2006 |
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Tenganan Dauh Tukad
Tenganan Dauh Tukad is the watered down version of Tenganan proper. People were friendly, but I was escorted to the ‘donation booth’ after arriving. I gave 10,000rp, take it or shake it. Locals were sporting traditional clothing, because of the birth of the new temple.
Date: October 22nd, 2006 |
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Balinese history: Pan & Men Brayut
Balinese Hindu mythology and local Balinese history, are colorful affairs, with many cute stories of how Balinese people have faced probelems and dealt with them. One of the famous stories in Bali is that of Pan & Men Brayut.
Date: October 14th, 2006 |
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Islam wasn’t sharp enough to convert the Balinese
Bali is a Hindu island in the middle of a predominately Muslim country. At one stage much of Indonesia was Hindu and the Majapahit empire, was eventually taken over , in 1515, by the Muslim Mataram empire. Why was Bali not taken over and how did it stay Hindu, when islands to the east, including Lombok, become Muslim?
Date: October 9th, 2006 |
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