Bali, Indonesia, is a veritable paradise with its friendly people and diverse, colorful culture. Visitors will find Hinduism as a major influence in temples, which celebrate with festivals. The sculptures reflect its religious heritage. The dance and music depict the mythical history of Bali. Shopping in Bali encompasses both the traditional culture and modern preferences.
Hinduism
Most of the people of Indonesia are Muslim, but Bali is a pocket of Hindu culture and religion. Religion permeates all parts of Balinese culture. The most obvious symbols of Bali Hinduism are small gifts visible in all Balinese homes, places of work and cafes. These offerings include leaf trays, which enclose a variety of offerings from flowers, to cigarettes, rice and coffee. The celebrants place the gifts alongside incense sticks that are burning and dusted with holy water. Outside observers will see a different viewpoint of Hinduism than the one found in India.
Festivals
Bali has over 20,000 temples with each one conducting two annual festivals. The island celebrations synchronize with the two island calendars. The wuki calendar has 210 days, so it does not coordinate with the western or lunar calendar. Nyepi, which is the Hindu New Year, is the day of absolute silence usually occurring in March or April. Large multi-colored giants fashioned by villages amaze the visitors. Galungan, celebrated every 210 days, observes the demise of Mayadenawa, the oppressor. Here, ancestors and gods return to the villages where people meet them with gifts on bamboo poles.
Music and Dance
On Bali music and dance are famous. The wayang kulit, which is a shadow puppet show, and the gamelan orchestras are the most well-known. The charming and theatrical dances are the Calonarang, which is Rangda, the witch queen, Barong or the lion dance which portrays a battle between good and evil with the dancers dressed in lion masks and Kecak, the monkey dance.
Sculptures
The people of Bali are expert sculptors, and visitors will find sculptures in the squares and temples. The statues of goddesses and gods such as Dewi Sri, the goddess of fertility and rice, and the guardian gods occupy the temples. The villages such as Batubulan attract visitors, and local sculptors create a variety of statutes from Buddhas and other gods for the market purchases.
Shopping
Holidays to Bali are a shopper’s fantasy, whether it is local crafts, statues, or high-end shops. In addition to sculpture, Bali is a center for crafts. Bali artists create local baskets, carvings of wood and stone, paper gifts, ceramics, items of glass and painting. Visitors will appreciate watching the artisan at work and acquiring the work. Garments are an attraction as stores in Kuta and Legian do business in chic sports clothing and trendy shops in Seminak encourage local stylish designers. In Bedugul, the historic Bukit Mungsu market sells coffee and dried spices.
Bali is often thought to be a paradise and for a good reason. The blending of the warm people and vibrant culture create Bali as Indonesia’s favorite tourist destination.