History

Bali is a beautiful island that is in harmony with nature. It is also know worldwide for having a unique colorful spiritual culture are its many rituals and practices which originated thousands of years ago, and till to day they have survived. Such is the endurance of Balinese culture, which in turn reflects on the deep faith and resilience of the Balinese people. To study the roots of today's practices and how the have evolved from the original rituals is to take an interesting educational journey into the past.

In contrast to matters of religion, Bali's history if difficult to chronicle as factual evidence has not been collected. What is known is that at some stage in pre-historical times. An indigenous people populated the island. Their descendants, known as the Bali Aga, practiced animism. Today, they settle mainly in the villages of Tenganan and Trunyan and still continue to worship the spirits of nature, uninfluenced by the spread of Hinduism.

It was at Trunyan that the first stone tools were discovered on the island. They were believed to belonged to the Homo erectus people who live around 330.000 BC. However, since so little is known of Bali's stone-age inhabitants, it is usual to discuss Bali's history beginning with the Bronze Age. During this period, rice cultivation originated on the island. Which was introduced by people who migrated from the north more than 3.000 years ago or around 1000 BC?

By 300 BC, historical records were being kept, which identified a more and organized society. By then, complex irrigation system fed cascading rice terrace in wet rice cultivation. At this time rice was already well and truly established as the major food commodity in Bali, and as its abundance and importance increased, so did its value. Dewi Sri, the ancient rice goddess, was revered then as she still is today through cili figures given as offerings. Field on the large yields of rice crops, communities became more and more wealthy and developed into more sophisticated kingdoms, each with ruling rajahs.

One of the most dramatic and enduring developments in Bali's history came about when a form of Hinduism, which had been introduced to Java, was be sported to and widely accepted in Bali in the first century. This religion was, in fact, a fascinating mix of Siwa Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, both originally from India and brought to Indonesia by Indian traders.

The peak of its success in Java came with the rise the Majapahit Empire, but these Majapahits were eventually forced further east to Bali as the Muslim religion gained followers trough out Sumatra and Java. Some Javanese shamanism was thrown in en- route, and by the time this religion reached Bali, it eventually merged with Bali's own form of animism. The foreign religion was welcomed enthusiastically by the Balinese, who was it as a further step to civilization. Any discussion of arts or architecture in Bali now usually refers to the "before Majapahit" period, which is distinguished by its primitive simplicity, or "after majapahit' whitch is much more elaborate and detailed.

The Balinese initially resisted the arrival of the new religion strongly, however, when the Majapahits first invaded Bali in 1343. Gajah Mada head of the Majapahit Empire, had an extremely tough opponent in the Balinese king, Dalem Bedahulu. The king ruled from Pejeng, now a simple village east of Ubud, and this is where much of the action took place. The king was so stubborn in his resistance that he becomes known by Majapahits as "Pig head". Stories embellishing the events relating to the king's incredible determination and skill have survived, and he is now known, literally as the king with the pig's head and magical powers. Gajah Mada eventually overcame the strong king, and has been accepted as a hero and great holy man ever since.

Up until the 15th century, the Majapahit kingdom maintained dominance in the area now knows as South East Asia, and Bali was an influential province. As the links between the mother religion and her of shoot in Bali slowly dissolved over time and due to distance, indigenous beliefs resurfaced.

European contact with Indonesia originated with Marco Polo's visit in AD 1290, and after this time a demand for spices and Indonesia's other natural resources grew. Travelers from Spain and Portugal then continued to return to Indonesia and visited Bali for the next 200 years, although the difficulty of entering and anchoring in Bali made it a less popular destination.

By Ad 1600, the Dutch East Indies Company had been set up in Java. Bali was declared as "New Holland" by a Dutch Admiral, who was warmly welcomed by the King at the time, Watu Renggong. With the death of this king, though, the seat of power in Klungkung diminished in importance and independent rule was established by local rajas.

At around the same time, the Majapahit Empire in Java disintegrated completely, the Majapahit Empire in Java disintegrated completely, and there was a sudden influx of Hindu refugees into Bali.

Intellectuals and artists, priests and princes, soldiers and artisans arrived in Bali with their
Precious books and records. Bali flourished with the sudden injection of creative ideas and skills, and the culture developed significantly. By beginning of the 19th century. Bali was still an isolated island relatively unaffected by the west, with its unique ever-evolving culture still intact.

The British East India Company introduced some opportunities for self-government to Bali in the early 1800s, after Holland's influence decreased as a result of the Napoleonic wars. When the Dutch returned to Indonesia and tried to gain sovereignty of Bali in the early 1840s, trouble flared. After sixty years, a mass suicide of Balinese families finally ended what had developed into an ongoing dispute. Rather than giving in the Dutch, ceremonial knives were used by the rajas and their families to end their misery and make a proud statement. Holland relented, and Bali survived the immediate threat of European influence.

The qui period from the early to mid 1900s brought a different of western influence, though, with a sudden influx of tourists. During this period, foreigners were already being drawn to the exotic beauty of the island and its people. Cruise ships made Bali a regular stopover, and more and more people became returned by this endearing paradise. Many visitors also came to settle on the island at this time, including famous German painter Walter Spies.

Two major incidents interrupted this peaceful period. Firstly, the Japanese invaded and occupied the island, although again the authentic Balinese culture survived. Secondly, when the Dutch tried once more to more their influence after war, Indonesia's President Sukarno declared independence in 1945. It took a further four years before the Dutch finally accepted the authority of the new government, and even after that Indonesia remained unsettled. Bali also suffered from individual disasters, a plaque, a period of supply food shortage, and a volcanic eruption.

Bali only opened up to tourists again in the late 1960s, when the new President recognized the value of the island as a tourist destination.

Since then it has been heavily promoted for its tourist value, and has also quite naturally acted as a magnet to the many types of tourist who enjoy Bali. Artist, surfers, backpackers, divers, shoppers, adventurers, and a whole range of visitors now appreciate the many facets of the Balinese environment and culture.

Even on the brink of the 21st century. Bali is proving that the unique spiritual forces that have shaped the island will continue to act as major determining influences well into the future. Every time a small canang offering, laden with incense and colored flowers, is laid on the ground; every time a chisel strikes soft wood and carves out the features on a mythological creature; every time a young baby couches the ground for the first time or ashes are offered to the seas; evidence of Bali's living traditions are being manifested, acting as constant reminders of her passion an authentic existence.

If we, as visitors to Bali, can share a small taste of this passion, our own lives will be enriched. And if we can also give something in return, in the way of respecting these people and their culture and supporting them as they find their way into the future, the benefits will be mutual. Let's make the most of our time in Bali; let's appreciate enjoy.

Over view of Bali

With swaying palm trees that beautifully line its many white sandy beaches. Bali welcome every visitor to her land of songs, dance, colors and culture that are intertwined with its natural beauty.
An island shape by religion and dancers, it offers visitor exciting treks through its lush jungle or leisurely walks through the vastness of its paddy fields and opportunities to saver the refreshing aid of its mountainous retreats. Go diving, surfing, shopping or simple scour for its delectable local delicacies.

Bali is one such paradise island that is so much endowed with natural beauty and fertile land where its people cherish their prosperous and harmonious way of life. Often tourists will stumble upon a parade of people adorned in stark gold, pink and purple costumes, carrying their generous offering of fruits and flowers to the stone temples. Bali is so inspirational, so alive!

The Indonesia archipelago stretches from the island of Sumatra to Irian Jaya, and Bali is situated between highly populated Java and idyllic Lombok. In a way Bali captures much of the soul and identity of Indonesia yet it has evolved a unique culture of its own, making it a very special place.

Amongs the 13.700 Indonesian island (900 of which are inhabited), Bali is the only Hindu state, and the rich blend of tradition and culture has had an incredible impact. Also, one's the last island running east to have a distinctly tropical Asian environment. Any island east of Bali lies east of the Wallace line, and liver forms show signs of having a grater Australian and New Guinean influence. Strangely enough, it is also considered to be the most western of the Lesser Sunda Islands, which stretch as far as New Guinea.

Geogra[hically, Bali is the ideal location for such a colorful and deeply spiritual culture. In fact the rich geography of the island has, most probably, actually been responsible for the extensive and fascinating cultural development.

Even though it is relatively small, approximately 6520 square kilometers in all, Bali boasts a whole range of different environments. This compact landscape centers on a line of active volcanoes with alluvial slopes which spill down to coastal plains. Tropical rainforests fringe the mountains, eventually giving way to carefully cultivated rice fields and crop growth. Further down on the plains, water logged mangrove swamps lead to the ocean. A number of different rivers and steams, in turn, wind their way through a cross section of these environments and down to the coast, carving deep chasms as they go.

Bali enjoys a consistently warm climate, which is particularly mild in the dry season, and the mountains leisure there is a steady rainfall to periodically cool the island down through the rainy season. The mountainous regions maintain a refreshing temperature all year round. And can provide a great break from the greater heat and humidity of the plains.

The people of Bali, as diverse as the geography of the different regions and yet united by their strong religious beliefs, draw their strength and their meaning from this wonderful environment.

The mountains are the focus of all daily activities, with holy Mount Agung as the great heavenward inspiration. All villages, temples, family compounds, housing and furniture
Arrangements are designed to face "kaja" or towards the mountains. The seaward direction "kelod" on the other hand, is considered to be less sacred and at times impure, although the sea itself is not considered to be profane.

Mountain slopes provide the ideal setting for the ominous terrace rice paddies, which then transform to become vast paddies fields. The Balinese have an ingenious irrigation system which keeps these paddies well watered, and the rich nutrients from the volcanic ash ensure these fields are also well fertilized.

Rice is the staple food for all Balinese people, and sampling the steamed rice (nasi putih) or red rice (nasi merah), or even colored yellow rice (nasi kuning) is a must. Or try a mixed rice dish served with different condiments (nasi campur) or fried rice (nasi goreng)
Even some sticky rice patties. Rice also has sacred significance, and it is offered back to the gods in the form of brightly colored cakes, or even simply as a few grains sprinkled on a banana leaf. Dewi Sri, the Balinese rice goddess, features strongly in local mythology and religious observance, and she often appears as a "cili" figure cut and bound from rice stalks.

The rivers are a focus a focus for rural village life, as they are a source of water for both work and domestic activities. You'll often find whole villages bathing in the rivers, washing their clothes, wahing their cars, fishing from them, or simply spashing around and having a great time. Further down the river path, many of the mud flats near the sea continue to be used by small family groups for making salt, an essential condiment in Bali.

At the edges of the land, the oceans are a source of holy water and the channel for preparing the dead for their afterlife. But there is still a great fear of the sea as the unknown, so even though fishing and seaweed farming are reasonably widespread and many activities revolve around the surrounding ocean, it is treated with great respect.

As a visitor, it's difficult not to be drawn in to the inherent magic of a place where the people and the land interact so closely, where the people draw so much meaning from the land and its spirits. You can see this magic in the long processions of flower and fruit-laden villagers on their way to the temples, or in the glittering dancers acting out an ancient Hindu story, you can hear it in the lively clashes and clangs of the gamelan orchestra, or the quiet whispers of continually offered prayers.

It's easy to sense the magic in the tastes of an island with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the aromas of sweet incense. And, naturally, the magical feeling is palpable.

While in Bali, you may choose to participate in this magic by visiting one of the large number of temples, with ancient Hindu symbols carved in huge slabs of stone. Or you may be lucky enough to have the opportunity to observe a temple festival or public cremation. You will, most likely, also want to at least see one of temple famous dances