The Childhood Rites of the Balinese Life Cycle
To fully understand the life cycle rites in Bali, one must first recognise the unique character of Balinese religion–a local system rooted in ancestor worship and the veneration of natural forces, onto which a Hindu belief structure has, since independence, been layered in a largely syncretic manner. While formal Hinduism is increasingly visible in ritual
Bali Island in Early Photography
It was only six years after the invention of photography in the year 1839 that Balinese artefacts like masks and statues were being captured through the lens in Jakarta. And to this day, Bali continues to mesmerise photographers with its timeless beauty. Sake Santema from Indies Gallery shares a few early photographs along with a brief history that offers a glimpse into
Borobudur Temple: A Marvel of Ancient Architecture
Located in the Kedu Valley, in the heart of the island of Java, Indonesia, lies the magnificent Borobudur Temple. This Buddhist temple, dating back to the 9th century, is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site but also the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Borobudur temple’s unique architectural, spiritual and historical significance makes it
The Continuous Transformation of Balinese Dance: I Made Sidia’s Colossal Show
In Bali, dance and theatre are, at their core, acts of devotion. Central is the veneration of ancestral and divine spirits, ritually invited to inhabit a wide array of temples: kinship-based, territorial, royal, and more. Each temple marks its anniversary either every 210 days, following the Balinese pawukon calendar, or every Saka lunar year, especially
The Spices at the Heart of Balinese Cuisine
A great Indian chef once remarked to me that in India, the flavour of curry blends changes every 50 km. To me, this applies not only to India, but also to Indonesia and other parts of the world. It seems to me that the closer a region is to the equator, the more spices are
TANGI 2025: A Bali Street Art Festival Celebrating Culture and Community
From 11 to 17 May 2025, TANGI: Ruang Baur Street Art Bali returns for its third edition, this time taking over the streets of Gianyar. Organised by the Kolaborasi Dunia Tangi Foundation -founded by artists Dwymabim, Zolalongor, Aldy Putra, and Yessiow- TANGI Street Art Festival continues its mission to reclaim public space through community-driven creativity.
Journey Through Nyepi in The New KASANGA Exhibition at SAKA Museum
Unveiled in early April, SAKA Museum’s new KASANGA Exhibition takes visitors through the journey of Nyepi’s (Bali’s Day of Silence) four essential rites. Working together with the art collective, Gurat Institute, the exhibition is an artistic reimagining of this sacred time, where visitors are granted a unique visual and sensory experience of Bali’s ceremonial Saka
Kain Prada: The Golden Cloth of Bali’s Nobles of the Past
Bali has quite a lot of renowned fabric — songket, endek, and kain poleng to name a few, with each carrying its own unique history, use, and meaning. There is one particular fabric considered one of the most highly regarded among Balinese nobles of the past. It is kain prada, cherished for the use of real
‘Postphotography’: Seasoned Balinese Photographer Gustra Explores New Fields
Ida Bagus Putra Adnyana (Gustra), a 67-year-old senior photographer, remains eager to learn and recently achieved a Cumulative Achievement Score of 4 (Cum Laude) at the Indonesian Institute of Arts, Denpasar. His final project –supervised by Dr. I Made Bayu Pramana, S.Sn., M.Sn. and Dr. I Nyoman Suardina, S.Sn., M.Sn– is presented in the exhibition
Decoding the Pawukon Calendar: Cycles and Symbolism
The Balinese Pawukon calendar is one of two calendar systems used on the island, but by far the Pawukon calendar dictates much of ritual life on Bali. The pawukon cycle consists of 210 days (30 seven-day weeks), whilst the Saka Calendar follows 12 cycles of the moon (roughly 355 days) The Pawukon calendar is incredibly
What is Nyepi? Understanding Bali’s Day of Silence
Many have heard of Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence, and understand that for 24 hours the entire island undergoes a strict period of no work, no activity and no sound. But exactly what is Nyepi? It is the first day of a new year, specifically that of the Saka Calendar, which is traditionally observed through
Nyungsung Betara: The Balinese and Their Gods
The Balinese have a very special relationship with the gods and the unseen world. To truly understand it, put aside for a while all the fantasies you have heard about the One and Only, and be ready for other fantasies—fantasies that, for the Balinese, have the allure of reality. The Hindu Gods In their “system”—which,
Segehan: Offerings for the Bhuta Kala
The Balinese people, most of whom follow the Hindu religion, are never separated from yadnya ceremonies in their daily lives, which occur continuously for various purposes and functions. Each yadnya requires a specific banten or offering, and one of the simplest and smallest offerings—contrary to the misconception that Balinese ceremonies involve excessive use of materials—is segehan, which
