Bali Local Customs

  Procession in village street, Central...
by Daihappydai
 
  • Procession in village street, Central Bali
      Procession in village street, Central...
    by Daihappydai
  • Procession in village street, Central Bali
      Procession in village street, Central...
    by Daihappydai
  • Procession in village street, Central Bali
      Procession in village street, Central...
    by Daihappydai
  • Swastika above a gateway to a village home
      Swastika above a gateway to a village...
    by Daihappydai
  • Census data attached to a gate to a village home
      Census data attached to a gate to a...
    by Daihappydai
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

They all have the same name!!!!!

by hayley_69

Yes that is true in Bali they all have the same first same but when you meet the balinese you will see that alot of them also use middle names or different names so people dont get mixed up.In Sudra or Jaba (commoner) families, the first born is called Wayan, Putu or Gede. The second born child is called Made or Nengah. The thrid born is called Nyoman or Komang and the fourth born is called Ketut. Then when they have a fifth child it will go back to number one and keep rotating around. So fifth child will be Wayan, Putu or Gede, sixth child will be Made or Nengah and so on etc etc.A man is prefixed by I (pronounced like "Ee") a female is prefixed by "Ni" (pronouced like Knee).

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More than one wife

by balisunshine

Balinese follow “Purusa” (patrimonial) system. It means that the son of a family will inherit all of his family’s (father) belongings. The consequence of this system to the wife is that she must have at least a son to continue the family’s clan. If a wife doesn’t afford to give birth to a son, then the husband is allowed to married with other woman. Sometimes, even though there are already some daughters born in a family, but because of the inexistence of a son, the husband can get married again. Another reason of why a man does polygamy is according to the puppets story when Arjuna and Shiva were married to more than one woman. The Balinese men will say “The Gods can do it, so why can’t we?” However, many Balinese men are married not because they haven’t got any children or sons but because they want to have more than one wife. Also, when the men have love affair with other woman, and...

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The Balinese Wedding

by balisunshine

The Balinese will find it hard to understand why some foreigners decide to stay single until 30 or 40 years old, when not until death. In Balinese eyes marriage is the most important thing, which should be done as soon as possible.Balinese boys and girls must become one entity by the sacred union of marriage.Founding a family is the way to respect the ancestors and the God, and a must to do to be considered as an adult by the community. Yet having a child (a boy if possible) is the ultimate goal of marriage and it should happen quickly.Why a boy? Well, when a daughter gets married she becomes part of her husband family and will usually not be able to care for her parents in their old age. She will as well not be given any heritage. We can say that a girl, when she gets married, is getting “out” of her own family and joins a new one. She will usually only meet her parents at big events...

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Visiting the Balinese Family

by balisunshine

As a visitor,you will find the smiling hospitality of the Balinese very attractive and it will be very possible that you will be invited to visit their home.There are certain ethics that can be applied when this occurs.Unlike back in the western world,where on should call before visiting,a formal warning of your arrival is not needed.There are just certain hours that would preferable be avoided to pay a visit,such as between 2-4 pm and after 10 pm.Eneter by saying ‘Permisi, which means Excuse Me.As you enter,you should take off your shoes,or ask if they would like you to take off your shoes.Unlike the firm hand shake practiced in the west,a light one is more appropriate.In certain areas of Bali,and mostly in Java,after the hand shake has been performed,a touch to your chest (on the heart) is followed.

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Special Days (Public Holidays)

by hayley_69

Just like other countries in the world they all have special or public holidays. Hear is a list of important months in Bali (Indonesia).Jan - New Years DayFeb - N/AMar - Nyepi DayApr - Maulud Nabi " - Good FridayMay - Vailsak Day " - Ascension DayJun - N/AJul - N/AAug - Independance Day " - Israj MirajSep - N/AOct - Idul FitriNov - N/ADec - Christmas DayTimes and dates change so this is only a rough guide only by months as i have not givin the exact day, as like stated days and times change.

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Nyepi Day - Balinese New Year

by elainetan7906

According to the info i got from the internet, Balinese Hindu uses two-calender system. One is Pawukon system, a 210-day cycle that divided into ten separate week system. The other one is Saka Calendar, a lunar calendar that originally from South India and brought to Indonesia around 465 AD. The main purpose of the Nyepi Day ceremonies is to pray to the God (Hyang Widhi Wasa), wish that HE to clean the universe (bhuwana agung) as well as the 'universe" within men (bhuwana alit). Based on the history of its birth of Saka Year, Nyepi Day also means to be a momentum to increase genuine solidarity and tolerance between people, accept the differences and similarity as natural factor of life and put them in a balance proportion so they can be in a positive side of life. We do not to fight each other because our differences.Since 1980 this procession also include procession of Ogoh-Ogoh, a...

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Nyepi ~ the Hindu Day of Silence

by chiabh

Nyepi is one of the most important religious rituals for Balinese Hindus to welcome the Saka New Year 1929... During the observation of Nyepi, Bali will be completely darkened and silenced for a full day, allowing the island's Hindu population to mediate, contemplate and pray for a better future... All Bali's gateways including the airport and seaport will be closed for 24 hours and nobody can get into or out of Bali during the period... During the rituals of Nyepi, the Balinese Hindus will practice Yoga Semedi and Catur Berata Penyepian (meditation), Amati Geni (which forbids them from lighting fires and switching on lights), Amari Karya (working), Armati Lelanguan (enjoying leisure activities) and Armati Lelungan (leaving their houses)...Nyepi is normally celebrated in March/April each year...

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Temple Coverup

by Thailandfan

Please remember ladies to cover up when you enter a temple. Shoulders and knees should not be showing.Even my husband had to wear a sarong at the water temple. These are provided at the entrance to this particular temple

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I dont understand

by hayley_69

Now when u go to different countries of course they speak a different language, for instance Indonesia speak there language BAHASA INDONESIAN but in Bali they do speak this also but alot of the villages up in the south speak there own native language BALINESE, but im Bali really all that matters is BAHASA INDONESIAN.So here is some basic BAHASA INDONESIAN in case u wanted to give it a try or your stuck in a situation that u will need to speak to them in there language. Greetings:Yes: YaNo: TidakPlease: SilakanThank You: Terima KasihExcuse me: PermisiOk: BaikSorry: MaafHello: SalamHi: HaloGood Day: Selamat SiangGood Morning: Selamat PagiGood Afternoon: Selamat SoreGood Evening: Selamat MalamHow Are You: Apa KabarFine: Kabar BaikMy Name Is: Nama Saya......No Problem: Tidak apa apaAround Bali:Walking: Jalan JalanWhere can i find......: Di mana saya dapat......Nightclub: klub malamPlaces To...

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BALINESE DANCE

by ancient_traveler

Bali Dance have historically played an important role in Belinese society. Through this medium, people learned about the tales of the Ramayana, Mahabarata and other epic strories from Balinese history. The following are brief descriptions of some of the more well-known dance-dramas that can be seen at regular performances, throughout Bali.Barong & Rangda: This is basically a story about the struggle between good and evil. Good is personified by the Barong and evil represented by Rangda.Kecak: the most famous of the Balinese dances. This is a very exciting dance to watch and is performed by a large group of chanting men sitting in a circle, waving their arms and swaying in time with the chants. Legong: The Legong is a very classical and graceful dance, and is always performed by prebubescent girls, often as young as 8 or 9 years old.

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Local traditions and culture in Bali

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Local Customs: Cities in Bali
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Questions and Answers

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Q:  How safe is it to travel around Bali? 

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A: "Safe"? Bali is very safe, as safe as any other part of the world at this point in time. We've been to Bali twice after the bombings and have never felt anything but... 

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