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Balinese Society
Balinese Names
Balinese Dance & Theatre
Balinese Calender
Weather Chart

Bali Weather Chart

Month

Max. temp C°
Min. temp C°
Rain (mm)
Humidity %
Season
Rating
Jan
32
26
350
70
Wet
*
Feb
32
26
250
70
Wet
*
Mar
32
25
200
65
Wet
***
Apr
34
25
80
60
Dry
*****
May
34
24
100
55
Dry
*****
Jun
33
22
50
50
Dry
*****
Jul
32
22
40
50
Dry
*****
Aug
33
23
30
45
Dry
*****
Sep
34
23
40
45
Dry
****
Oct
35
24
100
50
Wet
****
Nov
35
25
125
55
Wet
***
Dec
33
26
250
65
Wet
**

*  The rating is only a guide to indicate the best weather times to visit Bali.

Bali Events Calender

Galungan
A ten day festival which celebrates the creation of the world by the supreme God. Family re-unions and lots of feasting mark this time of the year in Bali. Galungan occurs every waku year or every 210 days. You will know when galungan is happening by the many penjor poles (bamboo) decorated with flowers. Dates for galungan are Terms:     pura = temple; purnama = full moon ; tilem = new moon
The Balinese calender follows two coincidental systems - one based on a lunar year of 355 days with a 13th month added every 3 years. The is a year consisting of 210 days. These 210 days are divided into 30, seven day weeks, each with its own name. Within these 210 days are futher concentric cycles of weeks varying in length. To generalise, events are referred from a calender and a local priest to appropriate such things as marriages, cremations, solving domestic problems, etc.
 
 
Balinese Society

The Banjar
Balinese society is highly structured within its heirarchy and communities. The banjar (village unit or council) is made up from all male householders of the village. All members have equal voice and see to the conduct of temple matters and determine a broad category of local laws. Births, deaths, marriages, divorce, property transactions & disputes, law infringements are all the business of the banjar.

Balinese Names
Balinese customs and social protocol of the days of the kings is still in effect. Most Balinese belong to the Sudra caste and thus speak common Balinese amongst themselves. They are called anak jaba or "outsiders". There are two levels of Balinese language - the normal dialect spoken amongst friends and families and the High Balinese (halus) which was derived from the courts of the Javanese. The High Balinese language is generally spoken to strangers or social superiors.
The caste system gives rise to many names and titles. The anak jaba Balinese are called by birth order: Wayan (pron: Why-arn), Made (pron: Mardy), Nyoman (pron: Normarn) and Ketut (pron: ke-toot). A given name is attached to this automatic birth denoter, chosen at a complicated Hindu ritual. The aristocracy have given titles - Dewa, Gusti, Anak Agung, Ida Bagus - are names which denote caste and positions in a complex system of heirarchy based on kinship with father or descent through the male line.
Balinese Dance and Theatre
Galvanised with religion, theatre is an integral part of life in Bali.
  • Rangda and Barong   A ritual contest between the chaotic (Rangda) & the opposing force of order, healing and protection (Barong). This is a contest that usually ends in a quelling (suppression ) rather than any victory, usually preceded by a play, Calonarang. Briefly the story is about a legendary queen who is accused of performing black magic. She is either deserted by her husband or kills him by pointing the finger at him. This leads her to become known as the widow Rangda and her reputation jeopardises the marriage of her daughter. Because Rangda is slandered she becomes a witch monster who wreaks havoc upon the people. The nation is finally rescued by a royal saint who assumes the form of the Barong. The keris (kris) dancers are followers of the Barong who become enraged by hate for Rangda. They attempt to kill her with their daggers(kris), but she turns the daggers against them by her power. The Barong intervenes preventing the knives from piercing their flesh.To the audience this seems to be real. To many it seems to be a venue for the magical. This is ritual theatre and genuinely exorcistic. Performances can be seen at Ubud (Fridays 7:30pm); Mawang,Batuan (Thursdays 7:30pm); Batubulan (daily 9:30am).
  • Legong  This is an abstract, highly stylised, painfully difficult dance performed by young girls. The aim of all this is perfection. Performances Ubud (Mon Sat 7:30pm); Peliatan(Sun, Mon, Fri & Sat 7:30pm); Kuta (Sun 7:30pm); and at some hotels in Sanur & Kuta.
  • Fire Dance  The girls performing in the dance are believed to be in a genuine state of trance. Based on an old exorcistic dance, the firewalker dances barefoot on real hot coals. Performances at Bona, Blahbatuh (Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri 7:30pm); Padagtegal, Ubud (Sun 7:30pm).
  • Kecak Dance
    •   Developed and choreographed in 1930s under the direction of Walter Spies and I Wayan Limbak, 100 male dancers become a forest, a legion of monkeys and whatever set is required for the Ramayana.Performances at the Art Centre, Denpasar (daily 6:30pm); Bona, Blahbatuh (Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri 7:30pm); Padagtegal, Ubud (Sun 7:30pm); Peliatan (Thur 7:30pm)
  • Joged Bung Bung
    •  A flirting dance accompanied by a bamboo orchestra. Derived from the regency of Buleleng, the joged features a beautiful young girl, who encourages men from the audience to dance with her. Good fun.
  • Puppet Theatre
    •   Wayang Kulit or shadow play is the oldest performing art in Indonesia. This play retells the story of     Mahabharata (an Indian Hindu epic poem describing the origin of the Gods) and Ramayana ( an old Indian epic that tells of the struggles between the hero -Rama- and the evil king - Rawana, who abducts Rama's wife).The skill of the puppeteer (dalang) is astonishing. He handles over 100 puppets, improvising in three different languages and giving each character a special voice.

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