Tag Archive for: culture

SELAMAT HARI RAYA GALUNGAN DAN KUNINGAN

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From June 8 to 18, like every 210 days, Bali celebrates Galungan and Kuningan again. 10 days to celebrate the return of the gods and ancestors to earth and the victory of good over evil. A magnificent tradition full of meaning, which makes the island even more beautiful with its processions and its “penjors” erected along the roads. So wish our staff and their families, after months of pandemic-related deprivation, a particularly happy and festive Galungan and Kuningan. As we say in Bahasa “Selamat Hari Raya Galungan and Kuningan!

BEAUTIFUL HANDICRAFT IN BALI

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Handicraft is one of the many facets of Balinese culture. In all villages one can find craftsman able to create lovely objects by working stone, wood, leather, grass or shells.
Close to Dajuma, is the village of Medewi, renowned for its surfing spot but not only. This week, we are happy to honor Yudi who, for 6 years, has been making magnificent pieces of craftsmanship that he sells from his worshop in Medewi by the main road, but also on the Internet. He also send his products to some art shops in Ubud, Kuta and many more. With his workers, he creates nice products made of grass (they said rapiah grass), yarns, and some shell. On the picture is Marwan one of the worker. An interesting place to visit to appreciate the creativity and skill of Balinese artisans next time you visit us!

SARASWATI DAY AT DAJUMA

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On August 28th, all Bali celebrated the famous Saraswati Day, held in honour of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning symbolized by a beautiful woman with four hands, riding a white swan among water lilies.
It is held every 210 days, on Saturday/Saniscara Umanis Watugunung (based on pawukon in Balinese Calendar ). Saraswati day itself is celebrated by the Balinese people bringing offerings to their holy books and script in their houses, while students celebrate it at school, usually in the morning, and the office-workers in their office. In the afternoon of Saraswati day we are not permitted to read or write the book because all the books are offered. In the evening, called Malam Sastra, people read books (especially religious books) in their houses or in the temple. The day after Saraswati Day is Banyu Pinaruh day. “Banyu” means water and “Pinaruh” mean wisdom. In other words, we must have wisdom which always flows like water and which is useful for human kind. As a cultural ritual that is part of the traditions in Bali, the event is characterised by gathering of the locals in the early morning at any of the following locations: the river banks, the shores of the lake or at the beach. A purification ceremony consists in taking a bath at these locations. It is believed to rejuvenate the body and get rid of the mundane feeling that comes from day to day activities.
This is shown on the picture this week: a Pekutatan family bathes close to Dajuma to celebrate Saraswati.

THE TRADITION OF FLORAL DECORATION IN BALI

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Totally part of Balinese culture is the tradition of floral decoration. Water and flowers are sacred in Balinese Hinduism and find their expression in the daily life of all Balinese families through floral decorations which are supposed to foster three human qualities: patience in the way to arrange flowers in complex and beautiful settings, knowledge of nature and sharing with Gods and humans.

In Dajuma, our staff loves sharing this tradition with our guests by organizing every week floral decoration workshops.

A perfect activity to practice after this long period of stress that we have been facing with the pandemic!  On the picture 3 recent floral decorations prepared by our staff to welcome our guests.

NYEPI IS COMING SOON

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Nyepi is fast approaching. On March 15th a new year will begin in Bali, preceded by the famous “day of silence”. It is celebrated every Isakawarsa (Saka New Year) according to the Balinese calendar. It is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese. A lot of rituals are part of the celebration of Nyepi Day. The most famous is Ogoh-ogoh and the Melasti (purification ceremony). Because of the pandemic, the celebration of Nyepi has been restricted, all the ritual must be done by a limited number of persons, people cannot get involved and must pray from their family temple. Despite these restrictions, Nyepi remains a major moment in Balinese life and a fascinating experience for foreigners visiting Bali. Dajuma is the perfect place where to celebrate Nyepi. We prepared a specific package which will help you discovering this so special tradition, unique in the world.
Happy Nyepi Day and Happy New Year Saka 1943.

A SPECIAL DECORATION FOR KUNINGAN DAY

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Last Saturday Balinese have completed the sequence of Galungan festival by celebrating Kuningan Day as the closing. Every ceremony in Bali has its uniqueness, for example Galungan’s landmark is the Penjor (decorated bamboo). Kuningan day also has its uniqueness, Balinese have a special decoration for it called Tamiang. On Kuningan day, all the temples and houses  are decorated with the tamiang shown on the picture. It is made of young coconut or palm leaves and colorfully decorated. The word tamiang is a reminiscence of a shield, a form of shield commonly used in war.  Tamiang is often interpreted as a symbol of self-protection. Tamiang, when seen from its round shape, is also often understood as a symbol of the Dewata Nawa Sanga who became God of the nine cardinal directions.

WOOD CARVING ART IN BALI

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Wood carving is one of the ancestral art praticed in Bali by skilled carvers trained in numerous schools in the island.
In Pekutatan, we are lucky enough to have some of them happy to share their know-how with our guests once a week, for an unforgettable “wood carving experience”. This is what happened this week to Anne and Maja from Sweden who were able to carve their names by themselves under the attentive guidance of the master carver Gede Budiarsa. A good memory of Bali to be brought back home!

KUKUL ANOTHER INTERESTING TRADITION OF BALINESE CULTURE

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Kulkul is a traditional communication tool of the Balinese people. It is a big wooden bell installed at the top of decorated towers erected in the middle of each village in Bali. Inherited from the ancestors one can find it in every traditional organization in Bali. It is used like an alarm for Balinese people and, depending on the number of strikes on the bell, has different meanings such as invitations to regular meetings of the villagers, ceremony preparations or natural disasters. Besides having a role in the lives of Balinese people, Kulkul is also used in smaller size, as a musical instrument in several art performances. This is what is shown on the picture this week. Dajuma is used to organise entertainments combining traditional Balinese music (Jegog) and dances. At the end of the show, our guests are invited to come on stage and play the Kukul instrument with our musicians. They love it!

BALI MORE BALINESE

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Part of the large Indonesia and its 279 Million inhabitants, welcoming 4 millions foreigners every year, one’s may fear that the small island of Bali could be losing step by step its brilliant culture and traditions.
This was before the new Bali’s Governor, Wayan KOSTER was elected last June, and made it clear that his administration intends to bring Bali back to its cultural roots, which is now effective through several decrees.
Changes are visible from anyone in Bali after applying these two:
N° 79/2018 Decree regarding customary Balinese Dress use stipulates that people working in Bali should don traditional wear every Thursday.
Same requirement during full moon (Purnama Day), new moon (Tilem Day), anniversary of Bali Province, regency anniversary days, and city anniversaries.
The island’s indigenous langage is traditionally written with an elaborate Brahmic-derived script natively known as Aksara Bali and Hanacaraka. Used in ceremonies and religious texts, the traditional script is deeply tied to Balinese Hindu practices.
“I think Balinese letters, Balinese text is in our identity, a symbol of our civilization” he said.
In accordance with Decree n° 80/2018, Balinese script will be written alongside Latin writing in public facilities, including our hotel as shown on the picture with the new signage on the road.
Many opportunities to enjoy the graceful « Udeng » on men head and women « Kebaya », and remember the Balinese long History through its everywhere writing.
On the picture taken in Dajuma garden, besides our colorful Jegog music instrument, some of our staff proud to wear the traditional Balinese dressing every thursday. From left to right, Dina, Alit, Kadek, Gusalit and Erly.

SELAMAT IDUL FITRI! EID MUBARAK!

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Like everywhere in the world, Indonesia celebrated last week the end of the Ramadan, called Idul Fitri in this country. After one month of fasting, our muslim staff was happy to celebrate this important event by visiting neighbors and family, exchanging gifts and wishes. A great moment of sharing! On the picture, top right, a car decorated as a mosquee, driven around the village the night before Eid Mubarak (Malam Takbir), top & bottom left: picture of our staff Jasuli and Aziz with their family, bottom right: Dajuma visiting another staff member, Misrin family.