One of the reasons I travel, one of the biggest reasons, is to experience, see and learn about different cultures around the world. Bali has been a disappointment in that regard. I fear, after speaking with older locals as well, that much of the precious culture is gone. What little remains is not easy to find. I have been able to see and feel some of that though. Here are a few beautiful cultural aspects to coastal Bali that I treasure.
Offerings
Bali is predominantly Hindu, and as such, there are unique customs and traditional that come forth. One of these is the absolutely beautiful offerings that are placed each and every day, mostly by the women. Visitors will see these all over, down every sidewalk, in front of every door, business and residential. At the foot of statues, on motorcycles, near rivers and creaks and on the beach.
At the beaches, there are the smaller ones, placed by fishermen or their wives to bring good luck to the catch and a safe return.
There are also larger ones, placed on the sand in front of a temple area, that contain loads of smaller pieces.
If you are lucky enough to catch a ceremony, or see the evidence of one left on the beach or at a coastal temple, you are in for a real treat. Have a look at these stunningly intricate and interesting blessings I have seen. My favourite are the large pieces made from pig’s fat and skin, and this unique one that included caul or lace fat.
Temples
I will always love visiting a temple, whether its fancy or humble, large or small, intricate or not. These are special places that hold an aura of mystery. To see the coastal ones, is an added bonus. Connected to the sea, these sites become even more magical. Some I have seen are placed right at the precipice of the turbulent waters.
Others hover at the top of the beach areas, made of black lava and contain beautiful carvings of the Hindu gods. While I have not been allowed inside these sacred places, I can admire the exterior and all it contains.
Ceremonies
I have been blessed in that I have seen two small ceremonies taking place on the beaches of Bali. Both looked similar to what may have been a christening. I saw parents holding tiny infants, all dressed in white. In this immediate circle is a female ‘priest’ for lack of the proper term. She is chanting and waving various objects and incense.
Extended family, are there in best dress, the women in bright lace tops with sarong skirts. The men also in sarong and a button shirt with a fabric band wrapped around their head. Food is always being served, buffet style and it seems a happy occasion. There are lots of offerings, woven mats and decorative pieces with bells ringing through the air.
Oh, how I enjoy standing quietly to one side, watching as these beautiful traditional practices are faithfully maintained.
My hope for Bali, is that it can realize how integral and important the culture is before its too late. Visitors will be bombarded with bougie clubs, beach and otherwise, fancy restaurants, the ‘foodie’ scene and so many stores selling tourist tat. The insatiable appetite for the almighty dollar consumes these places before they realize what bought the visitors here in the first place. What I would give to visit Bali as an adult, 30 or 40 years go. The magic……wow.
