Cultures & Traditions

Culture
The Balinese culture has intrinsic links to the dance, music and arts which is well-known internationally. Some other aspects of the culture which is equally important is discussed below.
Religious Worship

Offerings of Flowers on an Altar

The Balinese practice Balinese-Hinduism which differs from Hinduism in certain aspects such as the more relaxed stance on caste systems. They worship the Hindu trinity Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu who are believed to be manifestations of the Supreme God Sanghyang Widhi. The Balinese also believe strongly in magic and the power of spirits, as well as as the role of offerings and celebration of festivals to appease the gods and spirits to bring health and prosperity. It is thus not uncommon to see Balinese women place offerings of fresh flowers on altars and shrines in their homes.

Most villages have at least three main temples.

A Temple in Bali

• Pura Puseh (temple of origin)
  This temple faces the mountains and is dedicated to the village founders.
• Pura Desa (village temple)
  It is usually located in the centre of the village and is dedicated to the welfare of the village.
• Pura Dalem
  The temple is aligned with the sea and is dedicated to the spirits of the dead. 

Community Life
The Balinese community is extremely close-knit and organized in each village. For example, within each village, there is a Subak in which all farmers have to register under to ensure that water is allocated accordingly for their lands. 

Role of Men and Women
The are distinct distinguishing points between men and women in the Balinese culture. For example, only men are allowed to play the gamelan while both genders are allowed to perform traditional dances. In the more rural areas, men and women play traditional roles in which the men are breadwinners and women are left to manage the household. However, women help out at harvesting the crops.

Marriage
According to the culture, every Balinese is expected to marry and raise a family. It is not uncommon to be married at a young age. Strict rules apply on marrying within the same caste in the past. Now, inter-caste marriages are more common but women are not allowed to marry a men from a lower caste.
 
Traditions
Naming System
Balinese basically have only four names according to the ranking in birth sequence. The first child is named either Wayan or Putu, the second child Made or Kadek, the third Nyoman or Komang and the fourth, Ketut. Should a family have more than five children, the naming process is repeated over again. It is often perceived that the naming system is a traditional birth control method encouraging families to stop at four children. 

Upbringing of Children
Children are often left under the care of their elder siblings, especially in large families. Various ceremonies mark the stages of childhood and puberty (e.g. teeth-filing)
 
Ceremonies 

Balinese Wedding

Cremation Ceremony

• BirthAfter the birth of a child, the placenta is buried in a ceremony with some offerings after the birth. Halfway through the baby's first year on the Balinese calender which consists of 210 days, another ceremony is carried out.
  
  
• Marriage ProposalMarriage proposals are carried out in either the mapadik or ngorod way. The mapadik is when marriage is proposed politely by a visit paid by the male's family. The more popular way is the latter, whereby the couple elope for a few days before returning to announce their intentions of marriage which would be approved as it is more exciting and fun.
  
• DeathThe cremation is the grandest event of a Balinese lifetime. What is unique is that itcan be a spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting event, a far cry from the mournful nature of the event. The deceased is temporarily buried while planning for the cremation takes place.