See for more information http://baliwww.com/event/

Dear gamelan list,

It is with sadness that I post this notice on the list. I have received news from Bali that the amazing gender player Wayan Loceng from Banjar Babakan, Sukawati passed away early this morning in a hospital where he was hospitalized since yesterday evening. The direct cause of his death was a heart attack in the early hours of the morning.

As described in Michael Tenzer’s book, it is not an overstatement to say that Wayan Loceng was the reigning ‘king of gender’, with an amazing charisma and unique character of his own. He played the gender behind legendary dalangs such as Granyam and Madra amongst others, and his involvement in the musical development of the gender wayang of the Sukawati village in the last half century exceeded by far than that of an average performer. At least, that is my understanding from my conversations with him, since I myself has been under his guidance only since the middle 90s.

The ngaben will be held on the 19th. I have talked on the phone with Ketut, his eldest son, and he has asked me to send the message to his father’s students in the states, Canada etc. and I thought a post on the list would be the best way.

Mari Nabeshima

Tokyo

On May 23rd, 2006, the Indonesian authorities confirmed that Dutch passport holders will be granted a so-called visa-on-arrival (VOA) upon their arrival in Indonesia. The passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months after the date of entry into Indonesia.

The VOA is valid for a minimum period of seven days and a maximum period of thirty days. The costs involved are USD 10 for a seven-day and USD 25 for a thirty-day visa. The visa can not be exchanged for another legal residency and can not be extended. For a stay of more than thirty days you should request your visa at the Indonesian embassy in The Hague or in your country of residence as before.

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The tradition of weaving cloth is another heritage that has been passed down through generations of Balinese women. Like many other local art forms, weaving is based on the principals of harmony. This is indicated in the Hindu philosophy Tri Hita Karana, which refers to the balance between man, his environment and God Almighty. Art based on these values often reflects great beauty. Textiles in Bali are not only used for clothing purposes, but also as accessories in places of worship. Statues, shrines and even trees on the island are often shrouded in pieces of cloth.

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Every two years, special ritual happens on fourth full moon (Purnama Kapat, October 7, 2006); One day before full moon, Pilgrims from four villages (Bebandem, Ngis, Bugbug and Jasi) go up to Gumang Hill, where the temple lies on the top. It is about 400 hundred meters high from sea level and four kilometers to the east of Candi Dasa.

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The month of October has never been the same since the Bali bombing back in 2002. Therefore, in October, 12^th 2003, the “Gema Perdamaian” (Echoes of Peace) event was held for the first time, in hope that people would really understand the true meaning of peace.

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