WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT BALI CULTURE?

The Balinese adhere to the philosophy of three balances: harmony with the gods, with neighbors and with nature. This is reflected in their behavior as they strive to maintain harmony and balance in everything they do.

Family values

The family plays a central role in the Balinese mentality. The Balinese often live in extended families (several generations) and take care to strengthen family ties. Respect for elders and caring for elderly relatives are considered a duty and obligation.

Hospitality

The Balinese are famous for their hospitality and cordiality. They are always happy to receive guests and share their positive thinking with them. Visitors to the island often notice the amazing politeness of the inhabitants of the island.

Respect for nature

If you have ever seen pictures of Balinese nature, you are almost one hundred percent likely to have an extremely positive idea about it. Nature plays an important role in the religious beliefs of the locals. For them, it is not only a wonderful environment and background, but also a direct embodiment of the divine.

Social structure

Bali society is somewhat different from European. From their ancestors, the Balinese inherited a caste system in which castes are divided into higher and lower (while the lower caste occupies about 90% of the island's population). However, this system is not used today.

In modern Balinese society, marriages between representatives of higher and lower castes are often found (which in ancient times was punishable by death). Bali as a whole is gradually moving away from the traditional structure of society, but we will talk about this a little lower.

Most Balinese follow Balinese Hinduism, known as Agama Hindu Dharma. And this despite the fact that the majority of Indonesian citizens profess Islam. Religion plays a huge role in the daily life of the locals.

Despite the arrival of modern European culture to the island, tradition is still highly respected here. This is due to the geography of the island. It is impossible to build megacities here, so the local population is a little less exposed to modern trends.

Here are a few important features of the Balinese religion:

Complex belief system

The Balinese version of Hinduism is a unique amalgamation of religions: Hinduism, Buddhism and Animism. The Balinese believe in many gods and spirits, and each of them has its own role and significance. They also practice ancestor worship and rituals associated with the spirits of nature.

Temples and sacred places

In Bali, you can find thousands of temples and sacred sites that play an important role in the religious life of the island. One of the most famous temples is Besakih, also known as the "Mother of all temples". Temples are regularly visited by believers. They still remain an important center of the cultural life of the island.

Daily rituals

The Balinese conduct daily rituals and prayers in their homes and temples. They make sacrifices to gods and spirits using flowers, fruits, incubations and other symbols. These rituals help maintain harmony between deities, spirits, and humans, as well as ensure the well-being of the family.

Ceremonies and holidays

The Balinese celebrate many religious and cultural festivals. One of the most famous is "Galungan", which is celebrated every 210 days in the Balinese calendar. On this day, the Balinese hold solemn ceremonies and decorate their homes and temples.

Symbolism and art

In Bali, you will find a huge variety of examples of the use of religious symbols. For example, the image of a lotus flower and the symbol "om" is often found in sculptures and paintings of temples. The masks and costumes used in Balinese dances and religious rites are also rich in symbolism.

Healing and traditional medicine

The Balinese often turn to traditional medicine and healers to treat physical and spiritual ailments. These methods include massage, Ayurveda (Indian system of healing), and herbs and flowers with medicinal properties.

And now we will talk a little more about modern Balinese culture and consider how all the trends described above fall on modern reality.

Tourism

Tourism remains one of the main industries in Bali's economy and many locals work in this industry. They provide hospitality to tourists, as well as organize excursions, restaurants and other services for visitors. It can be said that tourism has been constantly changing Balinese society for years.

Arts and cultural activities

Bali remains the center of arts and culture, and the locals are actively involved in various exhibitions, festivals and performances. Traditional Balinese dances, music and crafts remain an important part of modern culture. In addition, tourists like it very much, and therefore it is beneficial for the island and economically.

Environmental consciousness

As we have already noticed, the Balinese have always treated nature with care due to their mentality and religion. Bali's contemporary culture includes initiatives to reduce plastic, raise awareness of climate change, and conserve biodiversity.

Active lifestyle

Many Balinese are actively involved in sports and physical activity. Surfing, yoga, swimming and other activities are popular among locals and foreign residents.

Entertainment and nightlife

Bali offers hundreds of offers in the field of entertainment and nightlife. Locals and tourists can enjoy various bars, clubs, concerts and events on the island.

Digital technologies

In 2023, modern technology and the Internet have become an integral part of everyday life in Bali. Local residents actively use social networks, mobile applications and online platforms for communication, work and business.

Entrepreneurship Development

The Balinese are actively developing the tourism sector of the economy on their island. They are actively rebuilding the island, investing in real estate and creating all the necessary conditions for tourists. They also cooperate with international companies from all over the world.

Bali is a place where natural beauty and rich culture merge. This island offers an incredible immersion in the unique atmosphere and traditions that make it one of the most amazing and popular tourist destinations in the world. At the same time, the island is developing and modernizing very quickly.

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