Here is an interesting excerpt from a paper, which is entitled Revaluing Uang Kepeng as a Medium of Local Exchange in Bali, written by Stephen DeMeulenaere, an Asia Coordinator of Strohalm Foundation for Integrated Economics (Holland).

Chinese money, known generally in Indonesia as Uang Kepeng or Pis Bolong, has circulated as a medium of exchange in Bali for at least the past 1,100 years, and only ceased to be used for local purchases in the early 1970s. Up until that time, a Balinese person could use Uang Kepeng in many ways, from buying meat and vegetables in the market to snacks in front of the school, to watching movies with friends at an outdoor theatre: basically anything involving the exchange of basic needs. Bali, up until the 1970s and in large part today, despite a massive tourism industry, lives a subsistence economy lifestyle.

(more…)

The victory of duo, Mangku Pastika and Puspayoga in governor election of Bali, not just give the island of Bali new leaders but also, for the first time, Balinese who had been lived outside Bali has a chance to lead Bali. Yes Made Mangku Pastika is a Balinese that joined transmigration program and relocated outside Bali, and now after years of living outside the home island he come back to lead Bali.

(more…)

As a result, from Chinese immigration to Bali there are some numbers of assimilation products (for the former explanation see on the previous posting). “Uang kepeng” or Chinese coin and ceramics have been discussed in previous article; the others product of the assimilation between Chinese and Balinese culture are Chinese Baris Dance and Pelinggih Ratu Subandar.

Baris Cina / Chinese Baris dance.

One of famous Balinese dance is Baris or warrior dance. There are many kinds of Baris and Chinese Baris is one of them. This dance appeared for the first time in Semawang and Blanjong (Sanur) and it still exists there until now. Semawang and Blanjong were known as harbor where Chinese and other traders hang down.

(more…)

The panca datu, an important offering of iron, silver, copper, and gold, which is used to bless the foundation of an important building. Thus, even today, Pis bolong are associated with wealth. A single Pis bolong was never really valuable - but it is a charged metal object that is associated with, and a vehicle of, wealth. And so when gifts are made to the gods in the form of offerings such as flowers, fruits, cakes, and meat, Pis bolong are offered also. Pis oblong are included as the “base” of certain kinds of offerings. The exact number of coins is almost always specified, although the significance of the numbers is not known.

(more…)

Small lead or bronze Chinese coins with a hole in the center used in offerings and as decoration in rituals. In the 19^th and early 20^th centuries the kepeng was the most wide-spread form of “cash” used on Bali, worth a fraction of a Dutch cent and the smallest coin in use. Also used in weight measurement.

(more…)

Rites of passage are an important aspect of every Balinese Hindu’s life and invariably coincide with a physical event such as birth, puberty and marriage. Each rite is marked by a ceremony and elaborate offerings. The main aim of these rites of passage as a collective is to purify and provide the individual with spiritual energy for a peaceful, healthy and successful existence.

The first Balinese rite of passage begins when a fetus is approximately six months of age and has a definite human form. A small ceremony is performed in the hope that the child has a long and productive life. Another ceremony at birth involving the burial of the placenta is the next rite of passage. At this stage of a newborn’s life everything is done to protect the baby as he/she is considered weak and easy prey for negative influences. The baby’s umbilical cord dropping off is the next rite, followed by 12 days and then 42 days of age.

(more…)