Do you ever wonder why people from around the globe seems to flock into Bali? And most of times, it is not surprising that people have never heard of Indonesia but have heard of Bali (especially since Indonesia is the fourth biggest population in the world, and the world’s biggest archipelago country). What makes Bali so attractive for tourists and investors alike, and fall in love with this place? What does this island (also known as The Island of The Gods) have that other islands don’t? Why do people who have visited Bali, will visit again, or at some point in their lives, contemplating to live in the island?
Besides the nature beauty and accessibilities that we have stated here and other articles, there are other reasons that compelled people to stay longer. Based on one of the most reputable national news platform, detik.com, there are 10 things that Balinese people do that make foreign tourists feel at home:
- Friendly to Newcomers
Indonesians are well known for being one of the most friendly people on earth. Especially Balinese, as they live from tourism and are well known to be friendly towards newcomers, from any country, and from any background.
Gde Aryantha Soethama, who is an artist, writer and book writer from Bali, said that most Indonesians are called ‘easy people’.
“Indonesians and other Asian people get along easily with each others and other nationalities. We have a habit or culture that likes being together with each other. Meanwhile in Bali, there is a uniqueness and authenticity to the togetherness culture. This is what makes newcomers feel at home,” he said some time ago.
- Relax People
Gde Aryantha also said that Balinese people are also known as relaxed people.
“Comers can come from anywhere, maybe foreign or domestic tourists. For tourists, Balinese people seem to live a very relaxed life. This is because of the farming culture inherent in the Balinese people,” he said.
He explained that when farmers face the planting season, there is a break for them to relax in between hard work. When Balinese people relax, newcomers feel at home seeing them.
“Many people say, like people in Jakarta, that life in Bali is fun. It’s like having a holiday all the time, it’s not as noisy as working in Jakarta. That’s true, Balinese culture is like farmer culture,” he explained.
- They Live in Arts and Culture
Bali is known to be rich in art and culture. One of them is the culture of placing offerings. Offerings can be found easily in many places.
“This tradition of placing offerings is unique. If outsiders see, ‘what are you doing?’ “There are offerings everywhere. This has become a characteristic of daily Balinese life which is closely related to art. For example, after cooking, they make offerings. Then there are other days, such as holidays in Bali,” he said.
“Balinese people are artistic people, their lives are artistic, so they are attached to the arts. Art contains a lot of entertainment, that’s why people feel at home. It’s like if they want to find entertainment, then just come to Bali, there’s no need to watch special performing arts,” explained Gde Aryantha .
Apart from offering offerings, there are a number of other Balinese cultures that are also famous, such as ceremonies at temples, Ngaben, and Nyepi. For some tourists, Balinese culture is a special attraction.
- Every Culture Has Meaning
Balinese culture is closely related to installation art. For example, there are several buildings that are synonymous with Balinese culture, so it seems like they were born for installation art.
Uniquely, each culture has its own meaning. For example, placing offerings in various places that have their own meaning.
“There are many meanings in the culture of placing offerings. Usually because Balinese people have traditions from the past which are still continuing today. One of them is that after cooking rice, they offer offerings of cooked rice to carry around the house. Put them in front of the house, next to the kitchen, next to the water channel, this is a sign of thanks,” he said.
- The Merging of Nature and Culture
Bali is known to have many beautiful and exciting tourist attractions, from beaches, sea, to culinary delights. Apart from that, Balinese traditions have also succeeded in attracting the attention of tourists.
“Something that can make tourists come back to Bali is not only its beauty. But its traditions, customs, culture are already art. Balinese people are artistic every day. In my opinion, the people who live most with art are only Balinese. Don’t fight against it, people Bali,” he said.
- Presenting and Embodying Unique Things
Gde Aryantha said, Bali offers something different from other places. For example, Bali has Balinese cattle which are the original descendants of bulls (Bibosbull). Bali cattle have their own uniqueness, such as a body shape that is compact, dense, and does not have a hump.
“That’s already a specialty. Bali cattle are unique cattle, then there are Bali starlings, only Bali has them. So those are the unique things about Bali, so what makes people happy to enjoy Bali again is because of its uniqueness. Plus maybe “Also, Balinese smiles are different from Javanese, Bandung or Surabaya people,” said Gde with a chuckle.
- Some people can speak English
Not all of them, but some Balinese people can speak and understand English. Because many foreign tourists come to Bali for holidays, so local residents try to learn English.
Even though they are not very fluent, tourists at least understand what the Balinese are saying. This helps make it easier for the public to convey information as well as sell souvenir products.
- Has a distinctive traditional house
Still related to culture, traditional Balinese houses have their own characteristics. Gde Aryantha said that real Balinese houses do not have living rooms.
“If you look at Balinese houses in the village, the original tradition is that they don’t have a living room. So if you come to my place, my hometown which still has Balinese traditions, the layout of the yard doesn’t have a living room,” he explained.
Even though it feels strange, traditional Balinese houses have become an attraction for tourists to come to visit and see them in person.
“You can study Balinese architecture. Balinese architecture does not recognize space for guests, there are no guest rooms. So guests are welcomed but in the yard, in existing buildings, in front of the kitchen, and so on. There is no special living room for receiving guests, ” said Gde.
- Traditions and Culture Maintained For Generations
Even though it is visited by tourists from abroad, Bali still maintains its traditions and culture from generation to generation. Gde Aryantha admitted that Balinese people are strong in maintaining their traditions, so that they do not fade with time.
“For example, Barong art, there is a lion dance. The carved ornaments have Chinese influence, there is also Egyptian influence. But the greatness of the Balinese as creatures of art, what they receive, they create something new. So when they enter “in the realm of tradition, they become disciplined, they become good. That is also something unique, how external influences do not reach the heart, to the core. Only on the surface,” he explained
- Cultural and religious acculturation occurs
The majority of Balinese people are Hindu. However, there are many Balinese who also follow other religions, such as Islam or Christianity.
For example, in Pegayaman Village, where the majority of the population is Muslim. Quoting the book Bali Menghuiga by Putu Setia, it is stated that they still maintain Balinese traditions.
Residents in the village also use original Balinese names, such as Ketut, Wayan, Nengah, Made, as typical Balinese names according to birth order.
One culture that is still maintained is Ngejot, namely bringing food to neighbors as a means of friendship. This is done during the fasting months.
Local residents still adhere to Balinese traditions as long as they do not violate religious beliefs, especially if they are shared with other people.
Quoted and Translated from: https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-7177610/10-kehabitan-warga-bali-yang-bikin-turis-betah-setuju.