Bali, Adat Dress

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Balinese temple dress, which is called adat dress, is not a matter of choice, nor is it a fashion statement. It is a symbolic gesture with a function. It is compulsory attire for everyone for the temple.

August 5, 2012

Bali, Galungan and Kuningan

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Galungan and Kuningan Days

If you happen to visit Bali ahead of Galungan Days, you’ll discover that most temples are attractively decorated, dressed up with batik and white or yellow cloths wrapped around their individual shrines. The streets are lined with Penjor, an offering suspended from tall, curved bamboo pool with decorations. The arch represents Mt. Agung, the body is river that flows from the mountains to the sea, and along its route are the products of the harvest, tied to the pole; at the foot of the pole is a temporary shrine. The Balinese Hindus use the Saka lunar calendar and the 210-day Pawukon calendar. Each of 30 seven-day weeks in one Pawukon cycle has unique name. The ten days between Wednesday of Dunggulan, the 11th week, and Saturday of Kuningan, the 12th week, are a period called Galungan or Galungan Days, starting on the Galungan and ending on the day Kuningan.

Galungan Days are the important religious celebrations for Balinese Hindus. The Galungan festivity marks the victory of dharma (order) over adharma (disorder). According to the local legend, centuries ago, Bali came to be ruled by a cruel, godless tyrant named Mayadenawa, who banned religious festival, tore down temples and punished anyone caught worshipping their Hindu gods. While he reigned, pestilence and famine raged across the island. The crops withered, rivers turned dry and people grew sick. Indra, god of storms and war, heard the island’s prayers and came to earth with a great army to destroy Mayadenawa. Following the terrible battles, the evil king was killed in the hills of Gianyar. He died on Rebo (Wednesday) of the 11th week of Pawukon calendar. Mayadenawa symbolizes the adharma and the day of his killing marks the victory of dharma over adharma. The Balinese Hindus express this victory with prayers, the feast, offerings and also the get-togetherness.

Aside than that, the Balinese Hindus believe the defied ancestors of the family descend to their former homes during Galungan. These defied must be entertained, and welcomed with prayers and offerings. Families with deceased relatives who are buried and have not yet been cremated-thus not yet deified-must make offerings at the graves. The visit of these ancestors is expected to last until Kuningan.

In the Gregorian calendar system, this year, Galungan Day occurs on April 24. However, from six days before the celebration people are busy preparing the festivity. Started on April 18, 2002, six days before the main celebration, called Sugian Jawa, is a special day to put the special offerings mainly in family temples for Gods and Goddesses, as the manifestation of the Almighty, while saving a prayer to purify ourselves. On the next day, called Sugian Bali, the same ritual activities with the preceding day are held.

On the Sunday before Galungan called Penyekeban, from sekeb, ‘to cover up,’ green bananas are sealed in huge clay pots upon which a small coconut husk fire burns. Lots of bananas are required for Galungan offerings, and this treatment ripens them quickly. This day is also believed as the day when Sang Kala Tiga (invisible disturber) is coming down the earth to seduce people to do bad things. Until the Galungan day comes, it is believed that Sang Kala Tiga is around us, so people should alert themselves by doing many good things and ritual to cast away the devil.

The next day, Penyajaan, is devoted to making the many colored cakes of fried rice dough, jaja. This jaja is used to make offerings.

On the day before Galungan, called Penampahan – from nampah meaning to slaughter an animal-pigs or turtles are killed for the traditional Galungan morning feasts. Featured in this feast includes babi guling (roasted pig), traditional lawar (a spicy hash of mixed vegetables teamed with meat and often fresh pig’s blood).

Penampahan also symbolizes the slaughter of the bad things that represented by the slaughtered animals’ bad behaviors. This, is definitely the ultimate defeat over disorder. Penjor, the bamboo pole that beautifully decorated with young coconut leaves and other things, is also erected to welcome the victory day.

Galungan day is a time for prayer, family get-together and offering. People pray at the family temples and some other temples. Usually people who live in town go to the hometown to visit their elders.

The day after Galungan-called Manis Galungan-is a time for visiting friends and relatives and the roads are usually packed with cars and motorcycles. Kuningan marks the end of Galungan celebration. It takes place on the Saturday of the 12th week of the Pawukon cycle, ten days after Galungan. Kuningan-which comes from the word for kuning (yellow), because the turmeric in rice offerings gives them this color. Galungan is all-island festivals. The preparations in the villages are obviously seen. Everybody gets to work, decorating the temple, making offerings and penjor as well. Galungan is a worth seeing festival.

(Article compiled from Bali Sekala & Niskala and other sources)

August 1, 2012

Bali, Ogoh ogoh

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Ogoh-Ogoh according to Balinese is symbol from devil or criminal atmosphere which always peep and can influence the human being to misbehave, hence from that the virulent influence in Bali dissipated by executing cortege Ogoh-Ogoh which pageant encircle the countryside. Ogoh-Ogoh, which is described as the big posture like giant ready to eat the human being every occasion, generally its eye goggle and its clothes are horrible completely. Nevertheless, nowadays Ogoh-Ogoh have expanded, which is adapted to a story and generally taken away from the story of Mahabharata or Ramayana. Because very high artistic value in Bali, Balinese now make the Ogoh-Ogoh not only virulent giant, but also make the big idol from good figure. Ogoh-Ogoh made from bamboo crate which caterpillar and formed as according to imagination of its maker, later then wrapped with the paper, cloth, cotton or sponge. Young fellow in each village does its work in mutual assistance. This celebration Ogoh-Ogoh is usually conducted one day before Nyepi Day and if you wish to see this annual activity, come to Bali before Nyepi Day between March and April.

July 29, 2012

Bali, Traditional Wedding

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The event in the life of Balinese are many, which has a great different from people living in advance countries. Balinese for every one who lives with traditional Hindu is bound by an obligation come mostly from religion and tradition which are now mixed without clear line. One of the main tradition still living until today is a tradition called ” Manusa Yadnya “, meaning sacrificed work for human being. The meaning of this is an obligation to conduct a religious rituals along the life of a person during certain age. Even later the ritual extended even before and after life of a person, so this is not just a circle life rites, but more extensive ritual involved the idea of human worldly and non worldly life. The basic rituals are following the birth, marriage and death. Each of these ritual involves the most consuming energy and time. Birth rite is called Ngotonin, marriage rite is called Nganten, and death ritual is called Ngaben. From here is clear that is a different nature between Nganten and marriage or wedding party for educated person. We can guess the feeling of a wedding party and a Ngaben event. A Nganten event will involve the feeling of parents of both bridge and groom a pious yet bit strain situation on the effort of fulfilling the correct and complex ritual. So the feeling of joy would not be the predominant moment for all parties in this situation, every one would center their effort on how the ritual be completely correct and and the member of the traditional organization be satisfied in terms of manners.

If we see the steps of a Nganten is consist of some stages. Now days a Nganten will always be initiated by the couple from making acquaintance of each other until coming to the consensus of living together tied in the marriage with the witness of both parents and families. If all of them agreed and the step toward the marriage got approval, then the parent and families of the man will come and inform the parent of the woman that their son firmly request their daughter. This step is called Memadik, meaning informal request while introducing the parent and families of the man to parent and families of the woman. Let’s say that from woman parties basically agreed. Second step is a formal request called ” Ngidih ” or ” Ngunduh “, where the parents, families and the formal and informal leaders of the village of the man will come to escort the family of the man to the parents of the woman. Here the involvement of village formal leader will discuss about the demographic status in relation with the residency requirements, while the traditional leaders will discuss about the traditional obligation and right of a woman that married to outsiders or insiders resident in their village and the obligation of the parents of the man toward the village of the woman. In most cases during Ngidih, the temple ceremony called “Mapamit” is organized at once. Mapamit means such as farewell, but not a party, where the woman ask permission to their parents, families, traditional organizations where she was member, ancestors, and the spirits of what her families believe in, including the manifestation of the almighty gods that she and her people in the village always worship. This is followed by a religious ceremony at the village of the man such as an information to the whole entities of the village that the village receive a new member and be considered as the same status of the other members. Here again the making of offering for ritual become the most focus of man families. The ritual is called ” Masakapan ” or Maperebuan “. Third step is informing back to the parents and family of the woman that all procedures are fulfilled at the village of the man. This step also involves the making of offerings to be sacrificed to the family temples, village temples, and the family temple of the woman. This step is called ” Ngaba Jaja” meaning bring souvenir. Traditionally the event of Nganten up here is finished. At some village still some additional event such as a sacrificial event called ” Klaci ” meaning that the parents of the woman must conduct a ceremony at the village temple and donating a pig, or rice to the member of the village to make the ceremony conducted. This ceremony is probably come from a tradition of ancient resident group that prevent their member from living out their group, so senses a fine. This type of ritual is very rare.

July 23, 2012

Bali, Ubud, Sekehe Gong Panca Artha

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The Sekehe Gong Panca Artha troupe at the Ubud Palace in Ubud, Bali on May 26, 2010.

July 23, 2012

Bali, Ubud Festival

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The Balispirit Festival is a vibrant and uplifting festival of yoga, dance, and music which awakens and nourishes each individual’s potential for positive change within, leading to positive change in our homes, in our communities, and around the world.

July 23, 2012

Bali, Kuta Festival

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Welcome to this fascinating event known as Kuta Karnival in Bali, Indonesia. The Kuta Karnival event will be starting from 2012 on the glorious Kuta beach in Bali. The previous edition of this event has witnessed large number of tourists from round the globe in Bali. This years Kuta Karnival promises more fun and excitement on the beaches of Kuta, Bali. There will be series of event like opening ceremony with Turtle Release, Kite Festival, Balinese Arts, Cartoon exhibitions, Movie Screening, Bali Food Festival, Sand Sculpture Competition and lots more.

Kuta Karnival Bali Food Festival – As a part of Kuta Karnival 2012, Bali Food Festival will start from 2012. All those who loves cuisines or recipes can take part in this mega food event in Kuta region. There will be lot of people joining this food festival to present there culinary skills. Apart from delicious food stalls, there will be movie screening, DJ session, children playground and lot of other entertainment activities. So don’t miss this Bali Food Festival at Kuta Karnival 2012.

Come and enjoy an event featuring fun, entertainment, tasty food, beach activities and lots more happening at Kuta Beach, Bali.

July 23, 2012

Bali, Sanur Festival

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Sanur Village Festival has become a major event in Bali Event Calendar. The main aim of the festival is to attract large number of tourist from various countries. After its huge success last year, the organizers of the event are planning to make this event even better and bigger. These year Sanur village festival promises a lot of water sports activities and adventure. The event is inspired by Marine life which plays a vital role in daily life of Balinese. Sanur Village Festival is highlighted as major tourist attractions of Bali event calendar. So all your beach and water sports lovers out there pack your bags and have a wonderful time at Sanur Village Festival.

July 11, 2012

Bali, Tari Panyembrama, dance

Tari Panyembrama, dance

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ari Panyembrama, a welcome dance making offerings to the gods.

July 11, 2012

Bali, Om Swastyastu, dance

Om Swastyastu, dance

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Om Swastyastu is the words in greeting someone in Balinese religion. It is sounding when the Balinese meet the other without depending the time because basically there are no Good Morning, Good afternoon etc. in Balinese language.

The Abangan boys have been training hard (3 times a week) in 3 different type of dances.

They would have 4 days of performances in April in a temple in Ubud. I am invited to be there to support them. I am supporting and promoting their art and culture. I hope they would have regular weekly performances soon.