Balinese Culture - Culture from Indonesia

At Home

Families are so close in Bali that many family members, be it brother/brother-in-law , sister/sister-in-law, mother & fathe or uncle & aunt, all reside in the same complex. The family dwellings are

surrounded by a boundary wall, which contains the family temple, communal area, sleeping quarters, vegetable gardens and livestock. Most housing compounds have several coconut trees and at least one coffee tree (Ever heard of Java coffee?).

Hindu Dhama

Bali’s culture is based on a form of Hinduism called "Hindu Dharma" which is said to have arrived onto the island during the 11th century. This religion plays a heavy part in the family customs and community lifestyle but, combined with the Balinese traditional ways, is a world away from the Hindu practiced in India. The influence of Hindu Dharma expands extensively into the arts, giving Bali its individuality from the rest of Indonesia. The Balinese have managed to preserve their culture despite the ever increasing number of tourists to the island.

Life & Death

Each stage of Balinese life is marked by a series of ceremonies and rituals known as Manusa Yadnya. The first ceremony of Balinese life takes place even before birth. Another ceremony takes place soon after the birth, during which the afterbirth is buried with appropriate offerings. The first major ceremony takes place halfway through the baby’s first Balinese year of 210 days.

A Balinese cremation can be an amazing, spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting event. In fact it often takes so long to organise a cremation that years have passed since the death. During that time the body is temporarily buried while an auspicious day is chosen for the cremation. Since a big cremation is often very expensive, less wealthy people may take the opportunity of joining in at a larger cremation, sending their own dead on their way at the same time.

Balinese Art & Architecture

Nearly every native of Bali, is an artist in some form or another. These skills are taught to them at an early age by their parents and villagers, who spend their free time making religiously oriented decorations which are placed at many shrines in public areas, paddy fields or in the their homes and place of work. Even in the streets, you will come across these offerings to the gods, so please be respectful and watch where you walk.
Balinese Architecture is said to have two roots. One is from the Hindu religion brought to the area from India via Java. The other is said to be indigenous to the island, pre-dating the sweep of Hinduism and said to resemble Polynesian style. This may be seen in Bali’s temples and places of worship.
For those truly interested in Balinese architecture, a visit to the Bali Museum in Denpasar is a must.