The keris, or traditional dagger, is an Indonesian heritage that dates back centuries and is considered an important cultural identity for the different regions of the archipelago. The main function of the keris was as a weapon to protect the bearer from danger. Used predominantly by males, the keris was a symbol of social status worn on a belt around the waist or sometimes concealed on other parts of the body.

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The sarong has become a popular symbol of the island of Bali. It is considered appropriate ceremonial attire for followers of the Hindu faith as well as a form of versatile resort-wear for international travellers’.

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I was handed a wonderful gift today–a CD re-release of a recording that my Balinese suling teacher, I Gusti Putu Oka, made in 1985 (over 20 years ago!).

photo taken from murnis.com

The re-release was published some time in the last few years (while I wasn’t paying much attention) by Maharani in Denpasar. The cover reads “The Magic Traditional Balinese Music”, “The Tranquil Sound of Solo Bamboo Flute”, “with background Sounds of Nature”, Gusti Putu Oka.

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Jembrana Regency, located on the far western coast of the island, is Bali’s most sparsely populated district and rarely visited by mainstream international travellers’. There is an expanding Islamic community here due to the close proximity to the island of Java and over the centuries there has always been an interesting blend of Muslim and Hindu cultural traditions. However, the regency of Jembrana does in fact come to life several times a year for an attraction known as makepung or water buffalo racing.

photo taken from trekearth.com/members/hubertjanuar/

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To truly appreciate the environmental wonders of the island, one needs to understand that Bali’s beauty is not merely the result of faceless natural forces such as the grinding of ocean plates, the rush of volcanic flows, the pull of the tides or the sweep of the sea winds. Bali’s spectacular natural bounty is also very much a product of the intimate relationship the Balinese people have with their environment. To the Balinese, the natural landscape is a divine creation marked by spiritually powerful sites. According to local belief, the environment is not merely a neutral backdrop for human activity, but is a vital, animate force with which one must maintain harmonious relationships.

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Desa-Kala-Patra (Space, Time and Identity)

The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is a project of the Saraswati Foundation for the Arts, a non-profit organization which aims to bring together writers, readers, artists and performers from Indonesia and from South-East Asia and the West to;

• Exchange information and ideas between the diverse cultures in Asia, the South Pacific and the West, thereby increasing cross-cultural understanding between East and West.
• Foster greater public awareness and understanding of writing, cultures and issues in this region.
• Create opportunities for emerging and established writers from our region to present their work in an international context and to participate in cross-cultural exchanges.
• Foster on-going creative partnerships between Indonesia and the wider Asia and Pacific regions.
• Support and provide educational programs for young Indonesians to reach their full potential.

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