On August 30th 2008, Balinese celebrated Kuningan holiday, a holiday to pay homage to ancestral spirits as they return to heaven after dwelling on earth for an extended period. However, on that day Kuningan holiday was not just celebrated in Bali but also in Hamburg.

50 Balinese families from all over German came to Hamburg to celebrate the Kuningan holiday some of them were willing to travel 800 km in order to preparea and celebrate the holiday with other Nyama Bali (Balinese brother and sister). They worked shoulder to shoulder with job assignment system as in Bali, for example Nyoman Sukahayadi led a team in charge in preparing the offering and Wayan Pica led the gamelan orchestra. The celebration of Kuningan in Hamburg was officiated by a High Priest, Ida Pandita Nabe Sri Bhagawan Dwija Warsa Nawa Sandhi, who flew to Hamburg few days before the celebration.

(more…)

Building a Balinese traditional house or structure is not a simple matter, not just simply taking natural materials – wood, grass, and stone – and shaping them to fit human needs. Instead, it seeks balance and propriety, in a Hindu sense, between the occupant and the structure, and structure and cosmos.

Man’s body is considered in Hindu thought to be a microcosm or miniature of the universe at large. It is only natural, therefore, that the Balinese should regard their house compounds as extension of same concept of balance between body and environment.

There is a set of traditional rules known as Asta Kosala Kosali that have to be observed in building a Balinese traditional structure. A Balinese traditional structure that is built in accordance with The Asta Kosala Kosali will express a harmony between human body and environment.

(more…)