Bali

Bali has many traditional dancings. Jegog is one them. Actually, Jegog is not only about dancing, but combined with silat (a traditional martial art). But, still, the dancing is dominate the show. The Jegog name was inspired from the traditional musical instrument.

Recently, this show was performed in Denpasar. The show was opened by dag, a leader of jegog team, which is also arrange and guide the show. He is also said some jokes during the show.

The show, actually, was divided into 2 parts, a dancing and a martial art. During the show, both of them, a Balinese musical will be played. So the show will more attractive.

Even jegog is still played and performed, but we must still concern about this traditional dance.
*the pic was taken from here*

On Saturday, Hindunese in Bali celebrated Tumpek Landep, a special day in Hindu to sanctify sharp utilities (and weapons) such as keris, blade, and other relic weapons. The ritual using banten utility, young coconut leafes, flowers, and fruits combination.

During that day, some assets that will be sanctified, such as machine, motor cycle, and other tools which are made from metals. Especially they that were made from iron, gold, silver, and others.

This celebration was held on their own home, and the duration of the ceremony from the morning until the afternoon.

The essence of the ritual is to give respect to Shiva God, the destructive God.

One Balinese traditional dancing, “Somya Rupa”, was performed on Bali Art Festival. President watched this show on the first night of the festival event. There are Minister of Culture and Tourism and Bali Governor accompany President watching the performance.

The meaning of Somya Rupa is Holly Face. This dance was worked on Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Bali, leading by Prof Dr Wayan Rai S, based on Siwa Tattwa book.

Well…I’m sure this performance is quite attractive. I wish I was there to watch it.

Here, some pics from Bali Art Festival. The pics were taken from here and here.

Today, Bali Art Festival is opening! The ceremony was attended by Indonesia President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, by hit kul-kul, a Balinese traditional instrument. This festival is the 30 times since it was held. This year it was held on Denpasar, in Renon region for exact place, with theme “Citta Wretti Nirodha” (control yourself to reach balance and harmony).

On his speech, President ask the citizen and local government to promote Bali using this festival. Well, since Bali is quite famous, I think it’s not hard for local government to attract more tourists to visit Bali.

There are many attractions during festival. From some information, there are about 22 region from Indonesia will participate on this festival.

Hope the festival succeeded, both on the implementation or promoting Bali to attract tourists.
*the pic was taken from here*

One of Balinese traditional dancing is Drama Gong which is combining almost all dancing moves. Drama Gong will be performed on Pesta Kesenian Bali/PKB (Bali Art Festival) on June 14. Drama Gong was becoming a superstar on PKB event since 1967 until 1990.

For last 10 years, Drama Gong ‘dissappear’ from every art festival in Bali. So, the Drama Gong performance on this year can attract public to attend and enjoy the festival.

Drama Gong is a part of PKB and will be performed about 135 times during PKB. This year PKB’s theme is “Citta Wretti Nirodha”, self controlling toward balancing and harmonization by put forward the quality of performance and colosal works on.

For the first time, Balinese Flower Princess contest was held this year. This contest was held on Sector Bar, Sanur. There is about 75 children with age about 3-12 years old take participation and becoming a winner with total grand prize is about Rp 40 million (US$ 4,000).

Through this contest, talented children can be chosen for casting a sinetron on Bali TV and other channels from the same media group, such as Jogja TV, Aceh TV.

Prize about Rp 10 million (US$ 1,000) will be given to the winner from 4 categories.

Banyu Pinaruh is one of ritual on Bali. We can find and see this ritual when Balinese finished celebrate Saraswati day, one of Hindunese holiday.

On Banyu Pinaruh, Balinese will take a bath on beach, after they did the ritual in pura. This activity has meaning, they want to sanctify their body and soul.

Some beaches are being target for Banyu Pinaruh ritual, such as Lebih beach on Gianyar, Watu Klotok beach on Klungkung, Kuta beach, and Jasri beach on Kabupaten Karangasem.

Garuda Indonesia re-open flight Nagoya-Bali, since there are many business prospects such as tourism or export-import trading. Of course, those prospects must be managed properly before they were launched as a product that will be offered to the customers. Export-import trading that can be done such as art (hand made), furniture, souvenir, and many more.

For your information, you can find Japanese tourists easily in Bali. Well, the number of Japanese tourists is quite high, more than 22% from all tourists.

Right now, the flight is open for 3 times a week. It means, more than 15 thousands tourists can be accomodated. This number can be reached whether each time flight, it is full booked.

On June 7 2008, Hindu Balinese celebrate Saraswati Day, a day when the knowledge was coming down to the earth. This holiday was celebrated on every school in Denpasar.

For celebrating Saraswati, Balinese were not only doing traditional dancing, but also clean up the soul of schools and books from the bad effects. By cleaning them, they hope the students and all civilian society can study easily.

I think the coming down of knowledge must be celebrate by all humankind, not only by Hindunese, since without it humankind will be in ‘dark’ situation and there is no progress in living.
*the pic was taken from here*