Tag Archive for: culture

OFFERINGS TO THE GODS

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Bali is a beautiful island, full of history and culture. Among all its traditions, there is one consisting in making offerings to the gods that surprises most tourists. Three times a day, the Balinese meticulously prepare charming small baskets called “Canang Sari” made from young coconut leaves and filled with rice and flowers. Once prepared these Canang Sari are put in two different places : on the floor to repel evil spirits who live in the sea which is the home to demons and ogres and in temples to thank the good spirits.
But what exactly is the meaning of this ritual?
It gives back what has been given to the people by the Gods. It is a sharing based on gratitude to the richness of life. Offerings appease the spirits and bring prosperity and good health to the family. It is a duty and an honour at the same time, and in Balinese perspective a very natural way to maintain a good relationship between people and spirits.
On the picture, our guest and friend Astrid from Holland, learns how to make these offerings with the attentive help of Anom in charge of the garden at Dajuma.

SARASWATI CELEBRATION

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Last Saturday, the Balinese people celebrated Dewi Saraswati, the Godness for science, knowledge, arts and wisdom. The day before, they did a mental preparation while cleaning and rearranging their books because, on Saraswati day, the books are blessed and the Balinese people prepares the offerings for the « vedas », the holy Hindou books.
Work and knowledge are celebrated in the schools in the morning, then in the offices during the afternoon.
Not before the evening are the people  allowed to read some religious books in the temples.
The day after was devoted to praying and libation in the temples, the beach, the rivers and springs which symbolise the flowing knowledge for the humans….
So that every one can begin a new cycle of 210 days, purified and wise….
On the picture, visible from the entrance of Puri Dajuma, the Saraswati statue is part of the the Gold Suite decoration.

At this year’s twilight, we would like to say THANK YOU to our guests!

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2014 has been rich for Dajuma from many points of view: completion of the renovation program of our cottages, 4 stars ranking from the Indonesian Association of Hoteliers, nomination to the Green Tec Awards and the World Luxury Hotels Awards and most importantly, a lot of positive feed-backs from our guests.
We selected one  which is for all Dajuma staff very meaningful insofar as it  translates perfectly the spirit of our hotel: authenticity, serenity and harmony.
…only here a true, simple and at the same time rich spirit of Bali can be found !
« We couldn’t have chosen better place for our honeymoon !
Everything was perfect and made our moods great every single day.
FOR SURE, we are  going to come back here, as only here a true, simple and at the same time rich spirit of Bali can be found !
Thank you all Balinese People for sharing this true paradise with us ! »
Jacek & Magdalena (Poland) Nov 2014

Christmas & Galungan

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This year is particular in Bali as the the celebrations of Galungan and Christmas fall almost at the same time : 17th and 25th.
Perhaps a sign that religions are sometimes converging. In any case it makes sense for Bali to celebrate Christmas as there are a lot of christians around the island.
For the night of Christmas, Dajuma will drive its guests willing to participate in the Christmas mass to the nearby christian church. Then after this moment of praying, they will be offered a delicious dinner (Peking Duck!) with a live orchestra.
Merry Christmas!

Metatah Ceremony

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In the Hindu religion there are 5 great elements belonging to Mother Nature: earth, water, air, fire and space. The humankind being part of it, each of these powers must be strongly linked to the humans, our bones to the earth, our blood to the water, our energy to the air, our body temperature to the fire and all of the orifices of the human body to the space.
An important ceremony called Metatah in Bali consists in filing the teeth of boys and girls reaching the adult’s age. This small sacrifice is a purification exercise aimed at reinforcing the link between humans and the earth.
On the picture Gusti Ayu Meggy Andari from our staff’ families, just went through this important event, unique in her adults’ life. Our sincere congratulations!

Bayu, Ayu and Ari celebrated their Mepetik ceremony

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Bayu, one of our restaurant supervisor and the two children Ari and Ayu of our HR Manager Erly went last week through this important ceremony which takes place only one time in their life and called Mepetik. It consists in cutting the hair in such a way that your soul gets purified and ready for your adult’s life.
On the picture, Bayu, Ayu and Ari with the traditional Balinese dressing just received the blessing of the priest and the community.

Tumpek Landep : a sympathetic tradition in Bali

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Once a year, Hindus in Bali are used to celebrate what we call here the Tumpek Landep.
Don’t try to guess what it is, it is just impossible !
The tradition is to  consider that all objects of the daily life made of iron including cars, motorcycles, engines, tools, etc.  is a gift from the Gods. As such, they must be celebrated in a specific ceremony called Tumpek Landep. All the objects of the hotel made of iron are gathered in a single place and blessed by the Priest while the staff prays and thanks the Gods for their benefactions.
On the picture, some of the cars of the hotel specially decorated on this occasion.

Natacha 6 months stay

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After several stays at Dajuma in the last 2 years, Natacha, an executive woman from France, decided to make a break in her hectic professional career by staying for 6 months in Dajuma.
During this time she got more and more acquainted with the rich Balinese culture and traditions. She built a lot of friendly relationships with the staff and the villagers, and even participated in the outing to Jogjakarta with them.
«My living among Balinese people was the way to find the new spirit I was kooking for, we shared so much!”
Here on the picture, she is preparing some decorations, learning from Tini the head of the Spa how to create from the bamboo leaves these adorable suspending decorations.

Nyepi celebration at Dajuma

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On March 31st, 2014, Dajuma celebrated Nyepi, the famous “Day of Silence” that is commemorated every Isaka Warsa (new year) in the Balinese calendar.
Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere like lighting fires (lights must be kept low), working, entertainment or pleasure, traveling; and, for some, talking or eating is restricted. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. Even the airport is closed on that day.
Pictured below, the day before Nyepi, Dajuma staff celebrated the Melasti Ritual on the beach in front of the hotel. Dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa. this ritual is performed in Pura (Balinese temple) near the sea (Pura Segara) and meant to purify Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belonging to several temples, also to acquire sacred water from the sea.