Traditional Bali

Hinduism plays a big role in Balinese culture and traditions. So does animism. Despite all modernizations on Bali, ancient traditions are still omnipresent in daily life, everywhere on the island. Traditional Bali still exists.

Balinese architecture

If you want to witness rituals and festivities in it’s most complete and traditional way, it’s probably best to go to the countryside or small villages on the island. Beach resorts like Kuta may not be the best place for that. Having said that, even there you will come across signs of rituals and religion on every street corner.

Galungan

The last time we were on Bali, it happened to be Galungan. This 10-day festival is sort of Bali’s Thanksgiving, commemorating the victory of good over evil. Flimsy bamboo poles, named ‘penjor’, are erected all over the island. Intricately decorated; a lot of work and very pretty!

Two high ‘penjor’ in front of the entrance of a restaurant in Seminyak, Bali.

More Galungang decorations. They all have different designs.

Love them!

Canang Sari

25 Years ago was the first time I saw all those little coconut-leaf baskets with flowers, cookies and other small offerings laid out everywhere on the pavement and inside small altars. They are still there and they are named ‘Canang Sari’. The Balinese make these small and pretty offerings every day, again and again.

You could literally stumble over these daily offerings since they are richly spread out on the pavement or placed in tiny house- and street-altars.

Canang Sari; Balinese Hindu offerings

Kain Poleng

Another remarkable thing are the black and white checkered fabrics, enveloped around certain trees, statues or walls. They are named ‘Kain Poleng’ or ‘Saput Poleng’ aka two-colored blanket. For the Balinese, this fabric means much more; it has a spiritual meaning. The cloth refers to duality; it represents a balance between opposing forces or elements. Like good and evil or day and night. It is wrapped around specific trees if a spirit resides inside that tree.

Not a checkered cloth, but still a sacred tree, I think.

Statues at door, wrapped in ‘Kain Poleng’.

I’m impressed by the details of all decorations. Balinese people put a lot of time and effort in their traditions.

We did not go to live-gamelan music this time, nor to any traditional dances. Maybe next time. I would say that a gamelan concert is not for everybody, at least not for very long. But the dances are exquisite and exotic!

A small street altar next to a green, green pond.

I do not like birds in cages, but I have to admit that these cages are beautiful and so is the courtyard.

I love everything about the Balinese culture, traditions and religion. It’s delicate and beautiful. What about you? Can you appreciate traditions like this?