The story begins in ancient Java; in the legendary kingdoms of Kadiri and Majapahit where Javanese culture is regarded (by Javanese, Balinese and Western scholars alike) as having reached its apex. From these rich sources flowed the great literature, art and court rituals of Hindu Java, that were later transplanted to Bali. One of the [...]

If you enjoy our post, feel free to subscribes to our rss feeds

History in a Balinese Looking-Glass Most of what we know about Bali’s traditional kingdoms comes from the Balinese themselves. Scores of masked dance dramas, fanilly chronicles and temple rituals focus on great figures and events of the Balinese past. In such accounts, the broad oufline of Bali’s history from the 12th up to the 18th [...]

If you enjoy our post, feel free to subscribes to our rss feeds

The word sanghyang means “deity” and performers of the sacred Sanghyang dances are said to be possessed by specific deities who enable them to perform supernatural feats. Their role is an overfly exorcistic one — they assist in warding off pestilence and ridding the village of black magic. Trance is induced through incense smoke and [...]

If you enjoy our post, feel free to subscribes to our rss feeds