Art & Crafts is a result of human work which can be tangible or intangible. Indonesia Arts & Crafts reflect to the regional histories, relegions and influences of the archipelago’s mind-boggling array of ethnic groups. Indonesia Arts can be classified in to the three main streams within Indonesia.

The staple food of most Indonesians is rice. On some of the islands in eastern Indonesia, staple food traditionally ranged from corn, sago, cassava to sweet potatoes, though this is changing as rice becomes more popular.

“His creations are quite exotic to look at, traditional but without academic influence. His works have a frighteningly macabre feel, his animal carvings eerie, his figurative sculptures showing strange and frightening forms, as well as beasts whose features are indistinct” The detritus logs and roots commonly  found along the river’s edge have a unique artistic potential. This has been proven by the creative carving of 1 Nyoman Tjokot, born around 1886 in Jati village, Tegallalang, some 15 kilometres from Ubud, Gianyar. Using all his sensual powers he […]

“Ngaben” is on of the most important ceremony in Bali. Because human body consist of 10 basic elements. One 5 elements we call as Panca Maha Butha or five macro cosmos element: Pertiwi (soil), Apah (water), Teja (fire), Bayu (air) and Akasa (ether or space). And the other 5 memories elements we call as Panca Tan Matra which is the five element that influence us from our sense which is consist of: Ganda (from the nose or smell), Rasa (from the tongue), Rupa (from the eyes), Sparsa […]

Wayang means traditional puppet. It is spread over most of Indonesia as a theater show since a long time ago. Based on old manuscripts in Bali, Wayang has been performed around the ninth century. This puppet is mostly performed to entertain, but some Wayang are only performed in ritual ceremonies. Balinese Wayang can be divided into two types; Wayang Kulit and Wayang Wong.

Traditional Balinese Song Traditional Balinese songs are called Tembang. Tembang is one of oldest arts in Bali and has been a strong part of Balinese culture. Some Tembang were sung by Balinese before the coming of Hindu-Buddhist cultures, such as Kuskus Arum, Suaran Kumbang, Puspa Pangan Jali, etc. Mostly Tembang in Bali contain many moral messages for education. Based on the structure and function, Tembang can be classified into Gegending, Pupuh/ Sekar Alit, Kidung/ Sekar Madya, and Kekawin/ Sekar Agung.

Traditional Balinese dances are the oldest form of performing arts in Bali. Traditional dances can be divided into two types, sacred dance called Wali and entertainment dance called Bebalihan. Wali (sacred dance) is usually performed in some ritual ceremonies only because it has strong magical powers and only can be performed by specific dancers. Bebalihan are usually performed in social events. In addition to entertain, Bebalihan also has other purposes such as: welcoming guests, celebration of harvests, or gathering crowds. Bebalihan has more variations than Wali.

Drama in Bali is usually derived from a local chronicle called Babad. Drama is estimated to first emerge in 1820. The art rose in the golden era of the Klungkung kingdom at the reign of I Dewa Agung Sakti. At that time, it is known in the form of Arja. Arja later developed into some drama forms in Bali, namely Prembon, Sendratari, and Drama Gong.

The delicious cuisine of Indonesia is as clever as it is diverse. Nothing edible in the whole outdoors escapes the cooking pot and each region puts a twist on traditional cooking processes. Unlike typical Western-style dining in courses, Indonesians eat buffet style, choosing from savory main dishes, condiments and sauces to add to rice. Cooks offer a medley of contrasts, with individual dishes falling into the spicy or mild, hot or cold, crunchy or soft, and sweet or sour categories. In rural settings, prepared food is left […]

Beliefs, Ceremonies, Cycles Of Life And Rites Of Passages (Source: Bali A Traveler’s Companion and Bali Tourism Information Book 2008) Balinese beliefs & its history Balinese Hinduism, a combination of Indian Shivaistic, Buddhist traditions and local customs dominates the daily lives of Balinese. Those many aspects involved during its one-millennium long evolution from the fifth till the sixteenth century make Hinduism of Bali tremendously different from that of India. Hinduism and Buddhism are believed to arrive in Indonesia from India around the 4th century, known from a […]