CRAFT&CULTURE
THE CULTURE CALLING FROM A BIG FESTIVAL TO SMALLER SACRED CEREMONIES, BALI HOSTS A NUMBER OF CULTURAL FESTIVITIES THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED...
W
hen I first
wonderful people or its exotic and
gamelan. Giant funeral processions
came to
highly complex culture? Or is it
meander down my street at
Bali in the
simply a combination of all of those
least once a week – the women
early 90’s,
things? Balinese culture – which
resplendent in spectacular kebaya
it was a
permeates society at every level and
while the men carry, shoulder high,
case of love at first sight in many
binds its peoples like glue – is what I
a towering sarcophagus followed by
ways. I was never sure why this
find the most endearing.
an orchestra of gamelan and drums
small island held sway over me but
I awake each morning to the sight
beating out a final farewell to send
when I wasn’t here it seemed to call
of our housekeeper silently praying
to me like a siren from the sea, so
and giving offerings at the family
strong that since 2009 I have made
temple, laying out delicately crafted
Bali my second home, returning
canang over which she performs
again and again for longer and
her daily ritual. The sweet smell of
MELTING POT
longer periods of time to a place
incense wafts slowly throughout
In Bali, visitors or long-term travelers
whose welcome is warmer each time
the house bringing with a state of
don’t have to go far to witness some
I set foot on its ancient soil.
wellbeing.
of the most astonishing cultural
What is it that draws me to this
As I walk to the beach I will
the departed on to the next life. Bali is many things, but the one thing it is definitely not is dull!
activities. Apart from the funerals,
place? Is it the towering mountains,
hear the sound of tinkling bells from
the daily temple rituals, and the
the azure blue ocean, its impossibly
children practicing the flamboyant
numerous ceremonies celebrating
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BALI&BEYOND JULY 2015