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Bali & Lombok

Bali Travel Forum
Lombok Travel Forum

Bali / Lombok Culture

Who is the richer man? He who has enough money, happiness & culture. Or he who has only more money?

Maybe a little too profound, but Bali & Lombok are not just inexpensive beach resorts. Unless, of course, that is all you want them to be. Or, if you want a little bit of prepackaged (sterilised) local culture, that is exactly what you will likely get, a little.

But look a little harder, past the first glossy picture and one sentence summary of the "Paradise Isles", and you can know what it is to be rich too.

This page is dedicated to the real islanders who have generously allowed the rest of us to spend a few, and I mean a few dollars and get so much in return.

Q. Will this page be of interest to you?

A. Can you ever have enough culture?

Bali web site owners, have you checked out our Featured Sites Page?

"Balifiles" - Don't be shy to suggest extra text, links or other information.

Brief History
11th Century Hindu Java bought Hinduism to Bali, who themselves "installed" it into Lombok. The word of Islam started spreading to the Indonesian Archipelago in the 13th Century, courtesy of "Gujarati Merchants". When the powerful Javanese Hindu "Majaphit Dynasty", who reasserted their control and beliefs on Bali in 1343, finally collapsed, Muslim Sultanates took over on the mainland and there was a cultural exodus of artists, dancers, musicians and actors to Bali in 1478.

Europeans ventured to this area from as early as 1292. The Dutch stepped foot on Bali first in 1597. By "divide & rule" methods, the Dutch turned the Sasak Lombok's on their Balinese masters in 1894, which backfired on them and they chose to mount a larger, successful direct invasion in Lombok and the North of Bali. They spread this rule to the south in 1906. Despite their selfish motivations, and even after their forceful expulsion after the 2nd world war, the Dutch left their own positive cultural legacy which can be seen today by the undoubted influence on Balinese art of the bygone colonialists and present day "ex-pats" alike.

While Lombok is mostly Muslim, Indonesia being the world's most populous Muslim nation. Bali is very much still Hindu; the only Hindu state in the whole of SE Asia in fact.

Culture for most tourists will take the form of wood carvings and dance performances, and there are some genuine art works to be had / seen in this respect. But there is a lot more "nearly / packaged" culture than the real thing. And some of it would surprise you. For example, if you ask visitors who have seen a few dance performances, which is their favourite. It will normally be a "toss up" between Lagong and the Kecak. Well, hold on to your Bintangs. The Kecak was invented by a German called Walter Spies, specifically to make a film (The Island of Demons) in the 1930's! Genuine Balinese culture huh?! Oh well.........

You should be able to find quite a bit more authentic culture and art however. For Bali, from Stone Carving in Batubulan, Silver in Celuk, Paintings / Galleries in Batuan & Penestanan, Woodcarvings & Masks in Mas, the Art Markets in Ubud & Sukuwati, Gamelan in Blahbatuh, Fabrics in Gianyar, Double Ikat cloth in Tenganan, Dance performances in Ubud & Peliatan, Songket cloth in Belayu, Green Ceramics in Pejaten. In Lombok, Basketwares in Beleka, Loyok, Swadadi and Kotaraja, Ikat & Songket in Sukarara, and Pottery in Penujak. I hope the following links help you to find a little worthwhile bit extra, completely genuine or otherwise!

Festival Dates / Locations
An excellent site, although in Indonesian, is Bali Calender. It is easy enough to use / understand though. The main festivals are highlighted with Yellow backgrounds, and the main locations to enjoy these festivals at, are shown under the column "Piodalan".

Geoff Teague's Site This is great all round, non commercial site from Geoff Teague - well worth the visit.

Temples
If you want to see a few temples before you go and see them, Sue Wright will put you right! This Link takes you to her pictures of Besakih.

Fancy a trip to Tanah Lot? Try these.

Dance
This site describes each of the dances. Ubud has a number of good shows and they are surprisingly inexpensive (around US$3 and locals sell the tickets during the day, so you don't have to go looking).
Dance Music

Now you know what dances you want to watch, this sites will tell you when they're on!
Dance Schedule

Gamelan Music
Perhaps, to put you in the mood, you could listen to some Balinese Gamelan Rhythms

Or read up on it here.

Paintings / Galleries
The most renowned art museum / gallery on Bali is The Neka Museum in Ubud.

The ARMA Art Museum also in Ubud, has a site too.

Then there is Arie Smit, the man who lead the so called "Young Artists" in Penestanan.

If you would like to go on an art based small group tour, try Bali Art Tours

Crafts & Markets
Here is a very quick "taste" of Ubud Art Market.

Shadow Dancing
Bet you didn't realise so much goes into it - Click Here

Bali Aga Villages
The original people of Bali - Batur's Bali Aga Village

Agriculture
It is the agriculture that makes the island so beautiful, really! With all the rive paddies and terraces framed with coconut palms. But the agricultural system itself is a feat of engineering simplicity and brilliance. For those aficionados, this is the definitive word on why.

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