First inhabited around 2000 B.C., Bali’s cultural roots run deep. Below, we’ve rounded up a few key things to know about the culture of an island justifiably known as “The Island of the Gods.”
Hindu Influence
Hindu influences reached the Indonesian Archipelago as early as the first century. There are two major theories for the arrival of Hinduism. The first belief is that South Indian sea traders brought Hinduism with them. The second describes how Indonesian royalty first embraced Indian religions and culture, and soon after, the masses followed their lead.
Balinese Dance
Bali has been known to leave mouths agape with its dramatic dances. These intricate dances express a story of drama using the whole body. The Balinese like a blend of seriousness and slapstick and their dances reveal this; like a vaudeville show, the audience cheers on the good guys and cringes at the bad guys. Dancers learn the craft at an early age. While the aspiring dancers are taught to dance with their hands before they can walk, official training starts as young as seven.
Check out a small sample of Balinese dance in the clip below:
Balinese dance is inseparable from religion. Based on their religious functions, traditional Balinese dances can be divided into three categories:
Wali Dances
Wali means “sacred,” but the literal meaning of the word is bantén, or offering. This refers to the direct link to deities and is not just a form of entertainment for the Balinese, but a formal exchange of energies. These dances are considered sacred and must be performed in the inner court of the temple.
Bebali Dances
Bebali dances, usually performed in the middle court of a temple, comprise ceremonial performances. They fall in the middle of sacred and secular. These dances are considered more as entertainment for the deities than as a direct means of contact.
Balih-balihan (To watch) Dances
These dances are often considered secular and take place solely for the entertainment of people. They are performed in the outer court or even outside the temple.
Pencak silat (Martial Art)
Pencak silat is an umbrella term for a class of indigenous martial arts originating in Indonesia. Pencak silat was used by Indonesian freedom fighters during their struggle against the Dutch colonists. Unfortunately, after Indonesia gained independence, silat became less popular among Indonesian youth compared to foreign martial arts like karate and taekwondo.
Pencak silat was practiced not only for physical defence but also for attainment of higher psychological ends. In addition to using weaponry, it is a full-body fighting form incorporating strikes. Every part of the body is subject to be attacked and used to attack. Other than traditional cultural-related Pencak silat, several cultural regions have developed their own style. The most notable pencak silat traditions are Minang Silek, practiced by Minangkabau people of West Sumatra. Bakti Negara is the style of pencak silat from Bali.
The wayang, or Balinese shadow play, is perhaps the most famous show in Balinese theatre. In a wayang performance, flat cut-out figures are silhouetted against a translucent, rice paper screen, lit by a coconut- husk lamp. Accompanied by a gamelan (traditional ensemble music) orchestra and occasional chanting or singing, these entertaining performances harken back hundreds of years, tapping into religious mythology or well-known Balinese sagas blended with historical facts. This whole show is managed with just one highly skilled puppet master or dalang.