Finding the Beauty in Everyday

"Anything can make me stop and look and wonder, and sometimes learn."

The Calm After the Storm

My friends Drew and Brittany arrived in Bali this past weekend. With a bit of swell in the water and calm winds yesterday, I opted to stay close to home while everyone else headed for the opposite side of the island. So, we scored my favorite spot with only five others.

Galungan - Bali's Most Important Festival

This past Wednesday was Gulangan, which marks the beginning of Bali's most important festival. It celebrates the victory of Dharma (virtue) over Adharma (evil). During this time, God and the deified ancestors descend to earth to be with their families. Galungan is celebrated every 210 days (every six months in the Balinese calendar, which has 35 days in each month). The end of the festival comes ten days later on Kuningan, when God and ancestors return to heaven.

The Balinese begin preparing for Galungan weeks before. 'Banten' (shown above) are woven out of bamboo fronds and filled with different foodstuffs. 'Penjor' are constructed out of bamboo poles and various accoutrements. Food is prepared for offerings and feasting. The three days prior to Galungan are the most important days of preparation; three days prior is referred to as 'Penyekeban' (represents the peak of the battle between Dharma and Adharma; this is when food preparations begin), two days prior is referred to as 'Penyajahan' (dedicated to meditation and self control), and the day prior is referred to as 'Penampahan' (slaughter day; when animals are prepared for feasting).

On Galungan itself, Balinese visit their ancestral homes (family temple), village temple, and their friends' homes whom have helped them along the way. Barongs, divine protectors in the form of a mythical beast, make their way through villages visiting homes to preform the ceremonial dance called Ngelawang. Residents pray before the barong completes his dance, meant to restore the balance of good and evil in the house.