Here is a write up on Bali’s cultural landscape prepared by Directorate General of History and Archaeology of Bali, that is submitted to UNESCO in accordance with World Heritage Program. I hope this writing can give a better view on Bali’s cultural landscape.

Cultural Landscape of Bali Province

Description
The island of Bali has long been characterized in the world as the last “paradise” on earth, a traditional society insulated from the modern world and its vicissitudes, whose inhabitants have exceptional artistic talents and consecrate a considerable amount of time and wealth to sumptuous ceremonies for their own pleasure and that of their gods. Therefore, the relation between the tangible and intangible aspects is a major aspect of the heritage and culture of Bali. The cultural heritage of the island goes way beyond physical structures and landscapes. More than anywhere else on the Indonesian peninsula an intricate connection exists between the built environment, the natural settings and the social and religious life.

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Many people agree that Bali has interesting culture and art. They love to see all the art and cultural products from the fine arts to the dance and from shadow puppet to traditional drama performance. Its ceremonies are always adored by local and foreign tourists alike. Besides, its friendly people draw lot of visitors from various countries and areas.

However, Bali nowadays has changed because of globalization and penetration of other cultures. Balinese tend to be individual and the area that actually should be utilized for agricultural activities is narrowed. Many other changes have occurred. Then some people who care and want to preserve Balinese cultural heritage held a congress, named Balinese Cultural Congress I at ISI (Indonesian Art Institute) Denpasar.

On June 14-16, 2008, many local and international experts and people who have great concern for Balinese culture were invited to this congress. This congress, which was opened by Cultural and Tourism Minister, assembled representatives from UNESCO and other countries like: UK, Australia, India, and Japan. In addition, Balinese artists, press, scientists, expert in Balinese architecture, Balinese legislatives, and many more attended this congress that was held as a part of Bali Art Festival 2008. They shared their ideas together to find a preventive action so that Balinese do not lose their identity.

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On the 9th of July, Balinese will participate in the public election, for electing the next governor. And Balinese hope the next governor will be as successful as Ida Bagus Made Mantra, the 1978- 1988 Balinese governor. Balinese love him much.

Born on May 8th 1928, Mantra grew to become a man who with great artistic talent. He was a good student in his school, very active in artistic activities and well known as Kebyar Duduk dancer. He inherited this artistic talent from his father whom also taught him how to dance.

Mantra then taught Cultural History of India in Indonesia University after he graduated from Santiniketan University, India. He was also one of pioneers who pioneered the establishment of Udayana University.

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Here is an interesting piece of writing on Balinese language which is taken from Scott A Johnsen’s thesis which is entitled From Royal House to Nation: The Construction of Hinduism and Balinese Ethnicity In Indonesia:

A man from Denpasar explained to me the rise in importance of the Balinese language: “It used to be taboo to use too much Balinese in school, but now, because of regional autonomy, people use more Balinese. Balinese is the mother language (basa Ibu), [we] can’t forget.” Most people in Bangli told me that a renewed sense of the importance of preserving the Balinese language began in the 1980s. A number of radio shows use only Balinese; the host of one such show, Warung Bali, has said that this is intended specifically to increase the use of the local language. The Balinese government has made a number of efforts to expand the use of Balinese, including designating certain days as “Balinese language days” at offices.

These attempts to make Balinese the equal of the national language, Indonesian, have led to some interesting attempts to invent Balinese terms for things that could only be expressed in Indonesian. I was taught to say “good morning/afternoon/night” in Balinese (rahajeng semeng/sore/wengi), in phrasings copied from Indonesian models. Some people in Bangli found this very amusing, because these are high language forms heard mostly in media; they still sound forced to many Balinese. Brahmana priest Gunung, head of HC-Bali, has a good time making fun of such new Balinese words and phrases by making up his own:

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Many Balinese students after they graduate from Senior High school go outside Bali to continue their study instead of studying in Bali. As a result from Bali has only one state university and it has only limited majors to choose. They usually go to the west, to the big cities in Java, which serve many better and famous colleges and more majors to choose. They got better study, and yet how about their religious and cultural activities that they always did in Bali?

Actually, there, outside of Bali, are Pura (hindus’s temple) moreover there is Banjar (the smallest society organization in Bali) like in Surabaya. I Made Kris Adi Astra, one of Balinese who is studying in Jakarta complained about there is no Pura in his campus. He must ride a motorbike to reach pura Amerta Sari in bintaro. “But I prefer praying in my room. If my mood is good I will go to Pura in Cinere” he added.

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Omed-omedan is held in a day after Nyepi (silence day) by people of Banjar Kaja, Sesetan village, South Denpasar. The teenagers who belong to this Banjar play the main role on this tradition. They -the boys and the girls- embrace each other by turns with wet body. They push a chosen boy and a chosen girl’s waist until they embrace and kiss ech other then he and she are pulled back to their initial position (see the complete information of omed-omedan on the previous posting).

Omed-omedan come from ‘omed’ meant pull. Many people outside Banjar Kaja often call omed-omedan with med-medan. “Actually, this tradition was held on Nyepi day,” said I Wayan Sunarya, Kelian Adat (Head of Banjar) Banjar Kaja. In the bygone days, Raja Puri Oka, authority of Sesetan village, was sick. He was still sick until Nyepi but the teenagers of Banjar Kaja were bored staying in home during the silence day. So, they went out gathered together. They played and chatted noisily that Raja Puri Oka was disturbed. Raja Puri Oka felt angry and commanded them to get in their house. But a miracle happened. Raja Puri Oka got well and became really healthy. Since that day, Raja Puri Oka told Banjar Kaja’s teenagers to do ‘omed-omedan’ in Nyepi Day.

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