Bali is a famous tourist destination in Asia. It is a province of Republic Indonesia. Bali has a strong Hindu Cultural Heritage that makes it very unique and seem different from any other places in Indonesia.
The majority people in Bali are religious Hindu followers. The Bali Hindu's tradition can be seen in their days to days life. It is still reflected in their buildings, clothes, and arts.
Balinese people believe that every places, areas, and even big trees have spirits. They call the spirits as Dugul Karangs. They believe that if they make a disturbance to nature life, it will make the spirits angry to them. That's why in Bali we can find a lot of areas with natural forest with monkeys, big trees and every kinds of plants that are still natural. In Alas Kedaton, we can find a lot of monkeys, which are by Balinese people are seen as the guard of Alas Kedaton temple. The monkey are not allowed to be moved outside of the Temple, or even to be disturbed. They are seen as sacred monkeys. That is why the population of the monkeys at Alas Kedaton grow by years. We can also find natural forest with monkeys at Sangeh and Ubud Monkey Forest.
A monkey is carrying her new born baby
Another example in their natural friendly habits is how they treat water. In Bali there is a place to conserve the water. It is a temple area beside a very huge lake and surrounding by a beautiful forest. The temple area is well known as Ulun Danu Temple, the place to Pray to Danu, Bali's Gods of Water. Every years, people from all over Bali areas come to Pry for the success farming and good supply of water. They believe that the water at the lake and surrounding forest must be kept naturally. There are also traditional rules as guidelines to use water. They believe that with the conservation of the water, Bali will always be blessed by the Gods and will have enough foods from plantations. Bali's is known as a success Padi Field area in Indonesia with a traditional irrigation system that is well known as Subak. If you visit Ulun Danu Temple, don't forget to visit the Natural Forest near it.
Bali Hindus people priest their Gods three times a day, at 6.00, 12.00 and 18.00. In the morning, they have a given to their Gods with a small parts of their food. In the afternoon, they priest the Gods with flowers. Before they pray, they clean the area surrounding the place. So that the entrance areas of Bali Hindu's people houses or shops are always clean and niche to be visited.
Here are example of a villages in Badung Region, North Kuta area :
Every Village in Bali has 3 temples (Tri Kahyangan). Some Temples' sign are still in Bali's traditional letter.
Bali Traditional Heritages are still found in Bali's buildings. Here are some examples of Bali's Traditional Ornaments in Buildings :
Traditional Ornaments of a Gate at Dalung
Figure of Gods beside of Gateway, as the spiritual guard of the area
An interesting Balinese traditional building architecture in Badung Region
Architectural Ornaments at a temple :
The Temple's Signage in traditional style
A Figure of Bali Gods in a temple in Dalung
A beautiful carved stone
Some Bali's modern buildings are still adopt Traditional Architectures. These are examples of new Buildings in Badung Region's that is still adopt Balinese Architecture:
The Regent of Badung's Office
The Boulevard at Regent of Badung's office with a Balinese statue and water fountains
Bali's people still pay respect to the family of their Traditional leader. Bali now is part of Republic Indonesia, but in Balinese Village, Traditional rules and heritage are still dominant. In Bali's village, there is a system named Banjar Adat (Cultural Village) which is the smallest level of Governmental organization in Bali. In Banjar Adat, decisions are not only made to just obey Governmental rules, but also have a consideration to traditional and cultural issues. The Kingdom's families with their powers are still one of important parties to make sure that any Governmental Decisions are still follow the traditional rules. Some important temples are still operated under control of Kingdoms' family. Monkey Forest in Ubud are still operated under the Kingdom of Ubud. This is to make sure that the forest, the temples, the monkeys as well as the traditions are still kept in original condition. Some of Kingdoms' families also elected as Government Leaders in Bali. As far as the Kingdoms' families still pay attention to People and Tradition in Bali, they will help to keep the Government's moves in tract and not to disobey Traditional rules.
One of Anak Agung's House in Dalung with a very beautiful Balinese ornaments
The Sign in a Wedding Ceremony of a Kingdom's Family in Dalung in Traditional Style
Balinese Dances, Balinese Crafts, and Balinese Paintings are still the prides of Balinese People. We can buy traditional crafts at Sukawati Traditional Market, Galuh, Kuta Market, or even at Hotels Shopping areas. It can be said that Modernization is not an excuse for Bali's people to leave their Traditional Heritage.
Balinese Dance performance at Garuda Wisnu Kencana
