Culture, temples and the arts (page 3)
Ceremonies, temples, dance, galleries, language and history.
Anniversary of the Bali Bombings
Wednesday, October 11th will be the 4th anniversary of the Bali Bombings, that killed over 200 people in Kuta.
Balinese ceremony at Pura Petitenget in Seminyak Bali
Pura Petitenget is located in Seminyak, where Jl. Petitenget meets the beach . This afternoon there was a Balinese ceremony going on there.
Tumpek Landep: Blessing metal objects in Bali
My return route took me through Penebel , back to Tabanan . On that main road I saw many small roadside ceremonies , with a priest sitting crossed legged in front of locals and vehicle.
Ubud Readers & Writers Festival starts today
Bali is a literary destination! How about that! The Ubud Readers & Writers Festival starts today and is growing into an event that is showing up on more people's radar scopes.
Popular and less trafficked Temple sites: Pura Luhur Uluwatu
Visiting a temple, particularly one that is a having a ceremony, or a special dance performance, is on of the special aspects of visiting Bali.
Important people in Bali: Janet DeNeefe
Janet DeNeefe, the 'Queen of Ubud', as some people have called her, is the owner of Casa Luna and Indus restaurants, author of Fragrant Rice , and creator of the Ubud Readers & Writers Festival .
Important people in Bali: Miguel Covarrubias
Miguel Covarrubias was a Mexican artist and writer, born in 1904, who lived in New York City.
Start of Ramadan in Bali
Today is the first day of Ramadan in Bali. This morning at 3.30am, Ika's brother called to tell her, and ask her if she was fasting.
Popular and less trafficked Temple sites: Pura Rambut Siwi
Pura Rambut Siwi is one of the coastal temples in Bali and is perched on a cliff in the west of the island.
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival coming soon
Bali's #1 literary event, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival , is coming soon, starting on Friday, 29 September 2006.
Nusa Dua Festival in full swing
The annual Nusa Dua Festival is in full swing. Nusa Dua Festival has become regular event since 1997 by Bali Tourism Development Corporation (PT. BTDC) in Nusa Dua Bali, 2006 being the 10th year.
Indian professor brings Bali and India together
Bali owes a lot of its cultural heritage to India. Buddhism and Hinduism both came from India, via Java.
Traditional Balinese script alive and well in Singaraja
Basa Bali (Balinese) is traditionally written in a script called aksara , which bears no resemblence to western script.
Puteri Indonesia: Watching a beauty contest
Friday night on TV was the Puteri Indonesia beauty contest. The event was broadcast live from Jakarta and Ika was very interested in watching it.
Popular and less trafficked Temple sites: Goa Lawah
Goa Lawah means ' bat cave ' in Balinese, and in Bali, Goa lawah is a famous tourist attraction, as well as a place of religious importance to the Balinese people.
Popular and less trafficked Temple sites: Pura Luhur Batukaru
Bali has tens of thousands of temples and they come in all sizes. Often the larger temples, or pura, feel like a tourist trap with tour buses and drink stalls lined up or hundreds of meters outside…
Ascension Day of Prophet Mohammed in Indonesia
Today is a national holiday in Indonesia. The occasion is the Ascension to heaven of Prophet Mohammed. Wasn't there some other dude who ascended to heaven?
Makepung: Buffalo Races in Negara
One of the famous spectacles a visitor to Bali should see is the buffalo ( mekepung ) races in Negara, in west Bali. For a mixture of sport and circus nothing beats this. • What is it?
Walter Spies: Painter and Bali expat
German artist Walter Spies was born September 15, 1895 in Moscow. From an early age he had an interest in the arts, including painting, dance and music.
Bahasa Bali: Balinese
Most people in Bali speak Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) and many speak some English. All Balinese however, speak Balinese (Bahasa Bali).
Public Holidays in Bali
Here is a list of the Public Holidays in Bali in 2006. Sunday January 1, 2006 New Year's Day Tuesday January 10, 2006 Idul Adha 1426H Sunday January 29, 2006 Chinese New Year 2557 Tuesday January 31,…
Purnama in Bali
Today I noticed many Balinese people in traditional dress and found out it is Purnama , full moon.
More wacky laws: Malay is national language in Indonesia
Some of the laws that get proposed, and often passed in Indonesia seem strange. The latest one to pop up, is the decision to make Malay, the national language in Indonesia.
A big thanks to Barrie
Baliblog has been maintained by Barrie for the last few weeks, and I'm sure it wa a breath of fresh air hearing his intelligent comments.
Looking way back at Baliblog
Baliblog started in December 2002, myself arriving in Bali in Jan 2003. The site has change a few times in terms of design, navigation etc. and you can take a peek at how it use to look.
Visiting a mountain temple in Bali
Visiting a temple is something many people like to do during a visit to Bali. The largest temple in Bali is Pura Besakih, in east Bali.
Trance dances in Bali
When you say 'trance dance' one might imagine western tourists out of their head at Double Six at 4am.
Wayang Wong: A traditional Balinese dance
Bali has many traditional dances, one of which is the Wayang Wong. Wayang Wong is a dramatic dance drama and is taken form the Indian epic, the Ramayana.
Animism in Bali
We've all heard about animism as a part of Balinese Hinduism. Some people might consider this primitive, the worshipping of mountains, the fight between good and evil and ancestor worship.
Indonesian's superstitions can affect politics
Anyone who has spent time in Indonesia will be aware of the superstitions locals have.
Bali's rice growing cycle
Rice is the staple in Bali and the Balinese people's expertise in growing it is a big part of the reason for their developed culture.
Rice Cultivation in Bali
Bali's mountain lakes feed the river's and streams 365 days a year (or 210 days a year depending on who's calendar you use).
The Balinese Way of Life
At the core of Balinese society is the village, a cohesive religious community organized around a grouip of temples.
The Very Bare Necessities of Art: Ubud, Bali
When I was at University in Australia I actually did a bit of nude modelling for the Arts Department. At that time I had a good body unlike now!.
Vihara Dharmayana: Kuta, Bali
Down a quiet alleyway off Jalan Bakungsari and fronting the very busy Jalan Singo Sari is located the only Bhuddist temple in the Kuta area.
Tumpek in Bali
Tumpek is one of the most interesting of the coincidence dates. Tumpek occurs six times in every Pawukon and each of these dates is separately important.
Tumpek Kandang: Bali
Tumpek is one of the most interesting of the coincidence dates. It occurs six times in every Pawukon and each of these dates is separately important. Today in Bali it is Tumpek Kandang .
The Ritual of Melutak: Bali
In an article I posted yesterday about the holy springs of Tirta Empul in Tampaksaring, I mentioned a ceremony called Melutak - the cleansing of one's body and soul.
The Holy Springs of Tirta Empul: Tampaksaring, Bali
North of Tampaksaring on the road to Kintamani you will see the turnoff to Tirta Empul.
The Legend of Dewi Sri
In Java there are a multitude of myths and legends. The Sudanese in particular have some fascinating legends and none more fascinating that of Dewi Sri .
Hindu Dharma: Balinese Belief and Worship
Hindu Dharma, the religious belief system of Bali, governs all activities of the daily life of the Balinese.
The Crazy Buffalo Temple: Pejeng, Bali
The area between the Pakrisan and Petanu Rivers is sometimes referred to as the 'Holy Land'.
The Balinese Calendar
When I first started going to Bali over a couple of decades ago, I immersed myself in the culture as much as possible.
Pura Luhur Batukaru:Bali
Probably one of the most visually stunning garden temples in Bali, Pura Luhur Batukaru is a sacred and holy site, and surprisingly, one where you don't have to pay an entrance fee but only a…
Cockfighting in Indonesia
Most of you will have heard of cockfighting or even seen one on your travels in Indonesia. Some of you might think it a barbaric act of bloody violence, and others, fascinating.
Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Ubud, Central Bali
When you've seen one monkey, you've seen them all. Right?. The Monkey Forest Road is one of my favourite places in Ubud and whilst I was in the vicinity on my last sojourn to Bali, I thought why not…
Silence - by Wayan Karja: Jimbaran Bay, Bali
Inspired by the Balinese holiday of Nyepi there will be an exhibition of paintings by Wayan Karja at the Ganesha Gallery at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jimbaran Bay, Bali.
Other Balinese Ceremonies
There are many events and ceremonies, religious and non-religious, held all over Bali at one time or another throughout the year.
Alas Kedaton: Bali
I had heard tales of this place. A place where huge bats with massive two metre wingspans hang threateningly from the bows of trees, and where the jungle is so thick, you would need a machete.
Hansen Thiam Sun Exhibition: Ubud, Bali
A student in Yogyakarta once asked me which island in my opinion was the best in the field of arts. A hard question to answer but I did.
A Version of the Ramayana Epic: Denpasar, Bali
With the Bali Arts Festival drawing to a close and also the Ramayana Festival of which it is part, a new take on the performance by Suardana and the Arti Foundation was performed.
Bastille Day in Bali
' Vive Le France !', were the words I wanted to shout on the night of the World Cup final but it was not to be.
Treasures in Sanur, Bali
Believe it or not, in all the years I have been to Bali I have never visited the Sanur area. I can however recall the only time I went.
Acronyms and Indonesia
If you have ever read an English language Indonesian newspaper or watched the television you will no doubt have seen the initials representing a government body or an area in Indonesia.
Chinese Kepeng: Bali, Indonesia
When I first went to Pasar Triwindu on Jalan Diponogoro in Surakarta, Central Java, it was in search of antique Kris.
Klenteng Darma Yasa: Tanjung Benoa, Bali
Nusa Dua was one place I had never had a yearning to visit and probably because I dislike ostentatiousness.
Tanah Lot International Kite Festival: Bali
On the back of the upcoming Bali Festival of Kites to be held at Padang Galak beach in Sanur comes yet another kite festival but this time to be held at the sacred sea temple of Tanah Lot.
The Ceremony of Eka Dasa Rudra: Bali
The preparations occurred in 1963 upon the request of President Sukarno and shortly after a massive volcanic eruption of Gunung Agung killed almost two thousand people.
Bali Bangkit: A Project to Revitalize 'Taksu'
July is shaping up to a fabulous month in Bali with numerous art exhibitions, dance and drama performances, and free tours in certain parts of the island.
The Ancient Beauty of Gunung Kawi:Tampaksaring, Bali
I had been to Gunung Kawi several times and knew about the beauty of this ancient and sacred place. The people with me knew little of it nor about the 'journey' - as I call it!
Children's Art Exhibition: Sanur, Bali
Creating is in the blood of the Balinese. It could be creating a beautiful piece of sculpture from wood or stone, weaving a product for sale to tourists, putting brush to canvas to express the beauty…
Raising Funds for Yogya Relief: Ubud, Bali
The devastating earthquake that shook Central Java and Yogyakarta on Saturday May 27, 2006, claimed over 6,000 lives and damaged a number of important heritage sites.
Tradition and Reputation Exhibition: Ubud, Bali
Art galleries and museums are always a must-see for me wherever I travel in the archipelago.
Tajen at the Bali Arts Festival: Denpasar, Bali
During my years in Bali I must confess to not having witnessed a performance of the Tajen dance. It will be performed however at the Bali Art Centre during the Bali Arts Festival.
The Spirit of Bali Revival
As a tourist destination Bali has everything to offer - Great beaches, breathtaking scenery, good food, plenty of nightlife, great shopping, fantastic weather, a fascinating culture and more…
The Legacy of Walter Spies: Bali
When it comes to Balinese art and fine art at that, then Walter Spies ranks high up on the list. He undoubtedly had an influential affect on Balinese artists.
Writers at the Festival: Ubud, Bali
The Ubud Writers Festival is gearing up to one fantastic event with writers from the world over attending to conduct workshops and partake in other events.
A Bilingual Edition of Contemporary Balinese Poems
My love for poetry was borne out of my passion for writing. I have turned my hand at creating sonnets and ballads and even avant garde poetry but it is the poetry haiku that I find endearing.
Festival Showcases Ramayana: Denpasar, Bali
The Bali Arts Festival is currently underway in Denpasar and attracting visitors and participating foreign dancers alike.
Miss Bali 2006: Astri Prima Devi
My wife Candika is a real TV hugger when it comes to pageants of any kind whether it be Miss World, Miss Universe or any other of the numerous and glamorous events.
The Bali Festival of Kites: Sanur, Bali
A long time ago I was fortunate enough to witness the spectacular and colourful display of kites soaring in the skies over Sanur.
Upcoming Ubud Writers Festival: Ubud, Bali
It won't be long before October is upon us and it is the Ubud Writers Festival that will take centre stage in Bali for those interested.
Exhibition 100 Years of Bali Fine Art
Whenever someone mentions fine art then I automatically think of the great masters whose works hang in galleries and museums around the world.
Bog Bog: Denpasar, Bali
Yesterday I mentioned a magazine or should I say comic called Bog Bog which you can buy in Bali and it is really an entertaining read.
Battle of Puputan Celebrations: Bali
Being in Bali between the months of September and December this year will be an exciting one with celebrations planned for the commemoration of the Battle of Puputan which occurred in 1906.
Mass Wedding in Maluku Islands
We have read about weddings in Timor amidst the violence there and even about a wedding taking place after the earthquake struck in Central Java recently. But, this is the ultimate in weddings.
Treasures of Bali
People visit the island of Bali for a variety of reasons and the basic of course being to chill out and relax, and enjoy time away from the rat race of their lives back in their home country.
SBY Supports Cultural Diversity: Denpasar, Bali
In his opening speech at the Bali Arts Festival in Denpasar, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed full support of cultural diversity saying it is needed to sustain the nation's rich and colourful…
Balinese Hindu Ritual of Ngotonin: Bali
In Bali children are considered holy and the smaller the child the closer he or she is to heaven. Seldom disciplined, a child is never beaten as it is believed it will damage the soul.
Walter Spies at 111 Exhibition: Ubud, Bali
Walter Spies was a Russian born, German artist who settled in the colonial Dutch East Indies from 1923 until his untimely death in 1942.
Mystics in the Mountains: Bali
I was reading this fabulous article in the JP yesterday but the only problem was that the authors name did not appear on the article.
New Bali Hai Cruise Addition: Bali
Confession time. I have never been on a Bali Hai Cruise in all my years in Bali. I have friends that have and they applaud the magnificence and enjoyment of these day and night cruises.
Prambanan Temple Complex To Be Dismantled: Central Java, Indonesia
An investigation by Yogyakarta's Ancient Heritage Preservation Agency has shown that the Prambanan Hindu Temple Complex east of the city has to be dismantled and rebuilt because of damage caused by…
Mass Wedding in Timor: Timor Leste
There was a wedding post-earthquake in Bantul, Yogyakarta, and now 17 couples 'dived off the edge' and were married during the lull in the violence that now tears the country apart.
Gunung Merapi Rumbles: Yogyakarta, Central Java, Indonesia
I received a text message from Candika yesterday afternoon at 1300 hrs and it simply said ' Bloody ground moving and big voice from Merapi '. I knew straight away what she meant.
Dances Mesmerize Urban Balinese: Denpasar, Bali
There was an extremely interesting article by I Wayan Juniartha in yesterday’s Jakarta Post , and, rather than post the link to the article I have included it for your perusal.
Craft Village Destroyed - Kasongan: Central Java, Indonesia
Once renowned for its erotic pottery, Kasongan, a small village outside of Yogyakarta, has succumbed to the earthquake.
A Wedding Amidst the Quake: Central Java, Indonesia
Its shaky enough getting married in the first place, but when you decided to get married amidst the ruins of earthquake destruction, then it surely has to be a marriage blessed.
Tenganan Bali: Traditional village with unique weaving history
Tenganan in East Bali , is one of the 3 main Bali Aga (traditional Balinese) villages.
Popular and less trafficked Temple sites - Pura Kehen, Bangli
Pura Kehen in Bangli is one of the most valued temples in Bali. I have visited the temple with Barrie, back in 2004. Here's more on Pura Kehen, Bangli .
Friday night Shabat in Seminyak Bali
Friday night's Shabat was very enjoyable and a positive experience. I picked up some red wine at Bali Deli, and rode over to the house in Seminyak with my friend.
Friday night Shabat in Bali
A friend of mine invited me to a Shabat tonight. You don't know what a Shabat is? Neither do I really.
Balinese marriage: Putting the cart before the horse
Marriage is a little different in every country and the Balinese have their own style for sure. I know 2 young Balinese ladies, Wayan and Komang, who are getting married in the near future.
Are all Bali beach boys gigolo's?
People come to Bali and its seems like paradise. The sun, sand and sexy locals, all sporting a smile and that intoxicating Balinese culture. Its enough to make a sane person lose their head.
Neka Museum Ubud
Two years ago on this day I visited the Neka Museum in Ubud . The Neka museum is the most famous museum in Ubud and the most complete collection of Balinese traditional art.
Buffalo races in Negara Bali
A friend was asking me today about the buffalo (mekepung) races in Negara . A couple of years ago I went out there to see them and its was well worth it.
Global Quest for Healing - film shows
Here's an update I just got from the people at Global Quest for Healing , in Ubud.
Selamat Hari Raya Galungan
Bali is celebrating Galungan today and many people will be heading back to their village, for family ceremonies.
Fruits in Balinese
Here are some names of fruits in Basa Bali Balinese people have a native language, Basa Bali. It has multiple levels, the 2 most significant, kasar (rough Balinese) and alus (high Balinese).
Galungan: Wednesday May 3rd
Galungan , the most important event of th year for the Balinese, starts tomorrow. Galungan , is the time when the spirits of ancestors come back to Earth, to observe the religious celebrations.