Source from “Traces of Gods and Men — Temples and Rituals as Landmarks of Social Events and Processes in South Bali Village” by Brigitta Hauser-Schäublin

The historical scenery of Bali unfold from a third perspective as well: Nusa Penida, especially the region of Dalem Peed, which had (and still has) numerous connections with the southern coast of Bali. These connections are found on various levels, as well as in regard to time. But these levels cannot be clearly separated, since over the years they have become blended in the oral traditions.

Nusa Penida lies off the coast of south Bali. Its steep cliffs and mountainous countryside, with its highest elevation, the Gunung Mundi (529 m), are clearly visible. Even though the island seems within reach, it is difficult to get to because the ocean current is particularly strong, and depending on the season, it turns the crossing into quite a dangerous adventure. The Balinese reluctantly set out on this journey, and during the rainy season, when the waves are particularly high, they forego it completely.

(more…)

Yesterday, our temple priest, some elders and I went to a house of a prince in order to find out a palm leaves manuscript which contains the history of our temple and all information in relation with our temple – when its was built, who built it, what is the function of it, etc. Our search proved to be futile but at least we found new information on whereabouts the palm leaf manuscript can be found. This is just one of many stories of Balinese persistent search of their past.

flickr.com/photos/66086592@N00/

(more…)

When you attend a temple festival in Bali, your ears will be filled with sweet and melodious voices of kakawin singers. The scale of ceremony in Bali can be measured by the appearance of kakawin singers group. A big scale ceremony usually use the service more than one kakawin singer group (pesantian). By the way, what is kakawin?

Utsawa Dharma Gita on The Annual Bali Arts Festival 2006

Kakawin is a form of old Javanese poetry with a metre originating from India. They were composed and performed in Java and Bali from the 8^th century until the now (still widely performed in Bali but not in Java).

(more…)

Balinese dance, music, painting, sculpture, and drama are well known around the globe. Unfortunately, Balinese traditional literature does not enjoy so much attention and admiration, known only to cultural researchers and of course by the Balinese.

flickr.com/photos/66086592@N00/

Bali possesses a rich and diverse literary heritage. Balinese traditional literature covers a wide variety of genres, ranging from folk tales and mythical stories in prose to epic poetry in different styles, from histories to dictionaries, from specialist manual to astronomical text, from magic formulae to moral treatises, from divination to agricultural practices from religious doctrine and philosophy to medicine.

(more…)

Past is something that cannot be separated from Balinese life. It penetrates deep into all aspect of Balinese everyday life. The position of a Balinese in his community, in socio-cultural life of the community, in religious activities in the temples is depend mainly on his past and point of origin.

The foremost researcher on Balinese socio-cultural life, Henk Schulte Nordholt in his work entitled “Origin, Descent, and Destruction: Text and Context in Balinese Representations of the past“, gives a better light on this account:

“Even today, many aspects of Balinese life are firmly rooted in the past. Whether it concerns religious concepts, temples, someone’s health or status, or political relationships, the truth about the order of things can only be found(ed) in the past. The Old-Javanese kakawin classics are in this respect “extremely true” because they are seen as the oldest texts in which an eternal truth is revealed that exists “beyond the realm of the senses.”

(more…)