About Bali

A B O U T B A L I
source: Wikipedia Indonesia



Bali is an island which is located in Indonesia, also a province of Indonesia. Bali is located between Java Island and Lombok Island. The capital of Bali is Denpasar, located on the south of the Island. In the whole world, Bali is famous by its art and cultural attraction, especially for tourist from Japan and Australia. Bali is also famous as Pulau Dewata.

There are some important places you should visit like Ubud as art centre, which is located at Gianyar; and then Kuta, Sanur, Seminyak, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua is few places that become main destination for tourist for its beach or the accommodation. But if you like to surf, we recommend you to stay at our bungalow, because its location very close to the favourite surf beach located in Tabanan and Soka area.


Masyarakat Bali

The population of Bali is about 4 million people, with 92,3% of the people are Hindu, and the rest is Moslem, Christian, Catholic, and Buddha.

Beside tourism sector, Balinese people also live from farm and fishing. Some of them also choose to be an artist. The language used in Bali is Indonesian language, Balinese language, and also English, especially for those who works in tourism.




In the Balinese Island, most inhabitants had the personal vehicle and chose to use him because the public transport route was not available well except the taxi. Between the Balinese Island and Java, there is available the crossing service of sea which goes through the Gilimanuk port towards Ketapang using the ferry that took time between 30 and 45 minutes. Even so with crossing between the Balinese Island and Lombok, crossing of sea went through the port Padang Bay headed the Lembar took time about 4 hours.

The air transport is served by Ngurah Rai International Airport. The runway and the air craft that come and go are able to be seen clearly from the coast.
Ngurah Rai International Airport



Bali is famous with art in Indonesia, even in the world, whether the dance or the music. Don't miss your trip to Bali without seeing the shows! Before you see it, you can have the sneak peak about the arts below.

Kecak

Kecak Dance

Kecak Dance is the Balinese art dance which was created in 1930s. This dance was shown by many male dancers who sits in circle in certain rhythm shouting "cak" and lifting both arms, which describes the story about Ramayana when the monkey army helped Rama against Rahwana. Kecak came from Sanghyang ritual, which is a dance tradition whose dancers will be in unconscious condition, doing communication with God or ancestors spirits and afterwards deliver their hopes to the society.

The in-circle dancers use square clothes like chess board around their waists. Apart from the dancers, there were also the other dancers who played Ramayana leading figures like Rhama, Shinta, Rahwana, Hanoman, and Sugriwa.

The Kecak dance song is taken from the Sanghyang dance ritual. Moreover, they do not use the musical instruments. The only istrumen used is krincingan (some kind of bells) which are put on by the dancers who play Ramayana leading figures.




Barong

Barong is a character in Balinese Myths . He is the king of spirits that symbolyze kindness. Barong in Bali Myth is the enemy of Rangda. Banas Pati Rajah is the spirit that accompany a child in its life.. Banas Pati Rajah believed as the spirit that make Barong moves. As a protector spirit, Barong sometimes form as a lion .Traditional dance in Bali that tells the battle between Barong and Rangda is very famous and sometimes exhibited as tourist attraction.

Lion Barong is one from the five form of Barong. In every part of Bali Island there are protector spirit for the land and forest. Each Barong that represents each region described as different animals.There are babi hutan, tiger, snake or dragon, and lion. Lion Barong is very popular and comes from Gianyar.
Barong sedang menggaruk seperti kucing
Barong
Hari Raya Nyepi

Nyepi Holiday

Nyepi Holiday is celebrated every Caka New Year (the change of Caka Year), that is on Tilem Kesanga (IX) which is the day of purification of the Gods in the ocean who brought the main core of life (Tirtha Amertha Kamandalu). The main aim of Nyepi Holiday is to come into The Almighty God to purify Bhuwana Alit (human nature) and Bhuwana Agung (the universe).



Ngaben Ceremony

The most interesting ceremony in Bali is a cremation ceremony that called Ngaben. For Balinesse the cremation ceremony is the most important ceremony. According to Bali people, someone who has been passed away should be burnt or diaben so the five components that forms the body can easily turns to its origin.. Ngaben Ceremonial in Bali is a joyfull moment especially for the grown up children. By conducting a ngaben ceremonial for their parents, they feel relieve because they have been succesfuly show gratefulness to their parents.
Ngaben
Anak-anak laki-laki mengenakan udeng, kemeja putih dan kain
Para penari cilik mengenakan gelung, songket dan kain prada

Traditional Costums

Bali traditional clothes are based on activity or ceremony, sex and ages, reflects someones social status and wealth through motives and jewelry ornament of their clothes .

Male:

* Udeng (ikat kepala)
* Kain kampuh
* Umpal (selendang pengikat)
* Kain wastra (kemben)
* Sabuk
* Keris
* Jewelries

Female:

* Gelung (sanggul)
* Sesenteng (kemben songket)
* Wastra clothes
* Sabuk prada (stagen),
* Selendang songket bahu ke bawah
* Tapih or Sinjang clothes (inside)
* Jewelries