The Bali Provincial Department of Culture has officially selected 21 art groups, studios, communities, and foundations to perform at the 47th Bali Arts Festival or Pesta Kesenian Bali (PKB) in 2025. These groups were carefully curated by a panel of experts to ensure they align with the festival’s commitment to preserving and promoting Bali’s rich…
Canang sari is one of the essential offerings in Balinese Hindu religious rituals. This sacred offering is commonly found in temples, home shrines, and even on streets as part of daily devotion or larger ceremonies (yadnya). According to various sources, canang sari was first introduced by Mpu Sangkulputih, who succeeded Danghyang Rsi Markandeya as a…
Bali, with its rich cultural uniqueness, has a distinctive naming system that has been passed down for generations. Unlike other regions in Indonesia that typically use family names or surnames, the Balinese name their children based on birth order. Names such as Wayan, Made, Nyoman, and Ketut are not just identifiers; they also reflect the…
The people of Banjar Yangbatu Kangin, Denpasar, Bali, hold a special story about the legendary Janggan kite, a tale that dates back to the early 1900s. This particular kite stood out due to its remarkable size and design. The body measured approximately four meters wide, while its impressive tail stretched around seventy-five meters in length…
Ogoh-ogoh are traditional Balinese sculptures that generally depict Bhuta Kala, a symbol of negative forces or evil spirits in Hindu Dharma. These statues are typically paraded during the Pengrupukan ceremony, held a day before Nyepi (the Balinese Day of Silence), as part of the Tawur Kesanga ritual aimed at neutralizing negative energies in the surrounding…
Nestled in the tranquil village of Banjar Sarasada, Tampaksiring, Gianyar Regency, Mengening Temple is a historic site with deep cultural and spiritual significance. This temple is believed to have been established during the reign of King Marakata in 1022 AD. It was first documented between 1925 and 1927 by Dutch archaeologist W.F. Stutterheim. However, it…
Ngaben is a traditional cremation ceremony in Bali, Indonesia, where the deceased is symbolically sent to the next life. In this ritual, the body is positioned as if sleeping, and the family believes that their loved one is merely resting. Tears are discouraged because it is believed that the soul is only temporarily absent, undergoing…
