Tag Archive for: culture

CYCLING AROUND DAJUMA

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Cycling around Dajuma offers an incredible blend of physical and mental rejuvenation, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of Bali’s nature and culture. As you pedal through the lush landscapes and vibrant villages, you’ll find that this experience goes far beyond just exercise. One fascinating aspect of this journey is discovering the rich musical heritage of Bali, such as jegog music, which was born just a few kilometers from Dajuma. This unique genre is created using bamboo instruments, and its rhythmic, melodic sounds and vibrations have a captivating quality that transports you into the heart of Balinese culture. Meeting the local people in the villages that are the cradle of jegog music is a true highlight. It’s here that you can deepen your understanding of the music’s origins, witnessing firsthand the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into creating these bamboo instruments. The cultural exchange that occurs during these encounters is nothing short of enriching, giving you a profound connection to Bali’s heritage. So, cycling around Dajuma becomes not only a physical adventure but a soul-enriching experience that allows you to explore the natural wonders and cultural gems of this magnificent island.

Dajuma Discovery

2 IMPORTANT CELEBRATIONS IN AUGUST

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This month of August, because of the successive celebration of Galungan Kunigan from 2 to 12 of August and Independence Day on 17 of August, Bali came alive in a vibrant tapestry of culture. Streets adorned with intricate flower decorations and the elegant penjors, swaying gracefully overhead, create a mesmerizing atmosphere that blends tradition with festivity. Amidst this spectacle, Puri Dajuma participated actively to these events with special entertainment at night where joy and sharing intertwined seamlessly. The air is filled with laughter and a sense of unity as locals and our guests alike partake in the rich rituals, forging unforgettable memories that reflect Bali’s deep-rooted heritage of togetherness.

RELEASE OF THE MAKEPUNG OFFICIAL CALENDAR 

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Buffalo races, locally called Makepung in West Bali are a thrilling spectacle that captivates both locals and tourists alike. These races showcase the unique cultural heritage of the region and the special bond between the farmers and their  buffaloes. The thunderous sound of hooves pounding the ground and the adrenaline-filled atmosphere make for an unforgettable experience. Witnessing these majestic creatures galloping with grace and power is a testament to the rich traditions of Bali. Not to be missed next time you visit us. They are at only 30 mn drive from Dajuma.

HAPPY IDUL FITRI

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As in the world, Muslims of Bali closed the month of fasting Ramadan last week with the traditional celebration of Idul Fitri. In Bali, it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and traditional customs. The streets are adorned with colorful decorations and people gather to offer prayers in mosques. Families exchange gifts and feast on delicious traditional dishes. The celebration lasted three days in a festive atmosphere made of joy, forgiveness and conviviality.

GRACEFUL TEDUNG

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When Bali is discovered  for the first time, we are struck by the wild beauty of the island, its beaches, its rice fields, its volcanoes and its culture. We are also struck by everything the Balinese invent to make their living environment even more beautiful: sumptuous floral decorations, majestic penjors erected at the entrance to villages during the festive periods.
But let’s take a look at the famous “Tedung”, these graceful umbrellas that mark our imagination for life. Where do they come from? Do they have a special meaning? The answer is yes.
All tedung are entirely handmade and require time to manufacture. It is made of bamboo for the structure, cotton fabric and wood for the mast. Close to Dajuma, in Yeh Sumbul Village, there are some craftsmen, who make Tedung for hotel decoration as well as for temple. The round shape of the Tedung is a comprehensive and universal symbol, which is supposed to bring protection and peace. There are 2 types: Tedung Agung and Tedung Robrob. Tedung Agung is usually decorated with colored cloth around its edges while Tedung Robrob is decorated with small balls made of woolen threads around its edges. In general each color of the tedung has a meaning:
– black and white tiles (poleng) symbolizes harmony
– black is for the god Vishnu (who maintains harmony)
– red for the god Brahma (creator of the world)
– white for Shiva (destroying god)
– yellow for glory
But other color combinations exist, for example depending on the caste: the Brahmans use the white tedung, the Ksatriya use the black tedung, the Pasek the yellow and the Pande the red. The color used also depends on the 3 temples of the village: Bale Agung the red, Puseh: the black, Pura Dalem the white.
In any case, it is a wonderful souvenir to bring back from Bali because the tedung exists in several sizes that are easy to carry in a suitcase!

CONVERGENCE OF CULTURES

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Dajuma recently hosted a Yoga group led by our loyal client and friend Monica who chose this year to organize it around the famous day of silence Nyepi. A very wise choice that allowed participants to combine their meditation practice with those done by all Bali on Nyepi day. As shown in the photo, our village priest was also very happy to introduce Monica’s group to the Balinese ritual. The appointment is already made for the next Nyepi.

HAPPY NYEPI

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This week, exactly March 22, Bali will commemorate its Saka new year according to the Balinese calendar. It is a very strong period in Balinese life, marked by unique festivities in the world. The day before, it is the parades of gigantic models made of wood and paper called Ogoh-Ogoh which have requested months of careful preparation in every village. The more hideous they are, the better, because their vocation is to get rid of evil spirits. The next day, it’s Nyepi, the day of silence intended for reflection on oneself. It impresses tourists so much because everything stops in the island, including the airport. The Balinese remain cloistered at home, many activities are prohibited such as lighting fires, no work, no entertainment or pleasure, no trip; and, for some, no conversation or eating at all. A fascinating tradition that makes our guests think a lot! Enjoy it!

PROTECT BALI CULTURAL HERITAGE

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On the photo, Stiven (Kindergarten pupil), the son of our Front Desk supervisor Agus, participated in his village in a Balinese story telling competition. Since five years In February, all the villages in Bali are used to hold a special event called Bulan Bahasa Bali, initiated by the government of Bali in order to preserve the Balinese culture as well as its dialect. In every village, all the elementary schools as well as the kindergarten have to choose their representative to participate in this event. The competition consists in Balinese story telling, writing or reading Balinese letters, singing traditional & sacred Balinese songs (Geguritan), poems and dances. Well done Stiven and congratulations for having been chosen!

SIWA RATRI CELEBRATION

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This beginning of the year was like no other for the Balinese, as they celebrated their biggest Hindu festival (Galungan & Kuningan) almost at the same time as the new year. Last Friday they also celebrated Siwa by going to the village temple (Dalem) in the evening to pray and often spend the whole night in meditation. It is also known as a night of introspection which is celebrated once a year. Pictured is the Siwa Statue at Gilimanuk Bay-West Bali National Park.

BALI CELEBRATES GALUNGAN

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Bali never stops partying: after celebrating Christmas and the New Year, it’s the turn of the Balinese New Year whose festivities will last 10 days, from January 4 (Galungan) to January 14 (Kuningan). It is a good opportunity to decorate the streets with magnificent panjore and to make offerings to the gods and ancestors who come down to earth during this period. For Balinese, it is also an opportunity to visit family, sometimes far away, which generates heavy traffic on the roads. A joyful and meaningful celebration which delights our guests!