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Bali
As A Living Museum
As a world tourist destination, Bali Island
retains a few mysteries. Apart from having
glamorous nature, tradition and culture
of the Balinese community, Bali always amazes
the tourists and it makes it hard for them
to understand the facts. Simply look at
the phenomena coming in the day-to-day life
of the Balinese when you make a visit here.
You will find many sacred places as the
Balinese have confidence in that places
inhabited by unseen beings that will extend
safeguarding and safety to the dwellers
around the place. There are also wells /
water-springs, believed to have the potential
of curing some diseases and soothing the
mind. Or many animals believed of being
the pet of gods so they should be treated
with care, such as swans and cows. In the
meantime, there are also sacred trees like
the banyan tree, sandalwood, ‘pule’
(Alstonia scholaris), ‘majegau’
(Aquilaria mallacensisllam) and so on. Beside
of that, certain other objects are also
believed to have supernatural power so they
are maintained with great care and respect
like "kris" (dagger), spear, stick
or gemstones.
THK
and Living Museum
Up to these days, the Balinese remain confident
that any existing objects on this universe
have power (soul) that can have an effect
on the human life. All objects, plants,
animals and other living beings have their
own function; just like series of chains
that complete one another so it can realize
a perfect life. On that account, many people
having supernatural power (occultist) can
see Bali as an ever-shining island. This
can only happen due to harmonious relationship
of visible and invisible life.
This harmonious life pattern is then implemented
into a life concept called Tri Hita Karana
(THK), namely harmonious life with God,
fellow humans and the environment. The THK
concept then makes Bali a living island
forever and draws some nicknames given by
foreigners like ‘Bali as living laboratory’
and ‘Bali as living museum’.
In addition, it also bears some other nicknames
like ‘the Island of the Gods’,
‘Island of A Thousand Temples’
or ‘the Last Paradise’ indicating
that Bali is a special island compared to
others around the globe.
Some information on the specialty and uniqueness
of Bali can be experienced in person through
current package tour on offer or found at
museums spreading out in the regencies and
city across Bali. Mysterious and special
things in Bali can also be explored at museums
like the Museum of Bali occurring within
the heart of Denpasar, Archaeological Museum
at Jembrana Regency, Subak Museum (Tabanan)
and Gedong Kertya (Buleleng). While, those
pertaining to arts can be seen at the Lata
Mahosadhi Museum at the Indonesian Institute
of Arts Denpasar, Neka Museum, Ratna Wartha
Museum, Rudana Museum, Agung Rai Museum
of Arts (ARMA) or Pendet Museum in Ubud,
Gunarsa Museum (Klungkung), Fingerprint
Museum (Denpasar), Le Mayeur Museum (Sanur)
and so forth.
Cultural
Tourism
Such cultural uniqueness and enchanting
nature should be put into cultural heritage
conservation by considering that the cultural
heritage comprises the following components:
(1) A biotic (mountain, river, city, village,
residential building and so forth); (2)
Biotic (flora and fauna); (3) Socio-culture
(art, customs, food, tradition, small-scale
industry, language and so forth). Accordingly,
the uniqueness and natural charm of Bali
will not disappear along the ages.
Conservation in this case refers to the
Burra Charter (Australia, 1981) namely maintaining
as its original condition by preventing
or slowing down the damage. Conservation
here, except for natural resources conservation,
is also performed in terms of economic aspect
particularly the sustainability of cultural
tourism as developed in Bali. Existence
of museum and nature as tourist object can
be relied on to improve the welfare of local
community. Similarly, it meets the objective
of cultural conservation (Semadi Astra,
2006) that originally just paid attention
to the allure, but today it has been undertaken
through holistic approach based on participation,
economic analysis and creation of business
activity as well as effectively drawing
visitors to come. So does the Law of the
RI No. 5 Year 1992 pertaining to the Articles
of Culture Reserve that in its implementation
becomes aware of the physical environment
associated with the necessity of wider community.
From here, it’s expected to be able
to render advantages, increase the income,
improve the quality of life and create a
friendly environment.
As a matter of fact, the objective of cultural
heritage conservation has been in keeping
with the paradigm of tourism development
by applying the community-based approach,
sustainable tourism and community-based
tourism. By this new paradigm, the community
is empowered in order that they can actively
take part right from the very beginning
phase and by that, the bad impact of tourism
towards physical and social environment
can be avoided. Tourism, as stated by the
Secretary General of World Tourism Organization
(WTO) Francesco Frangiali is one of the
good soul mates of the environment. It means
that tourism, other than taking part in
determining the income of a country, also
plays the role as a union of organization
both national and international in the endeavour
to safeguard the environment and nature
preservation.
Living
Museum
To know that the character of the Balinese
is religious, one of the methods is that
you can find at pura or temple where their
religious activity takes place in larger
scale. Pura (Balinese sanctum) as living
museum of the Balinese has supporting devotees
to take care, perform ritual and maintain
its sustainability. The word pura is derived
from Sanskrit ‘pur’ meaning
castle. It is also called kahyangan representing
the abode of gods or deva. Hyang equals
to pinnacle. While ‘that shining’
equals to deva. Balinese people believe
that high places or pinnacles emanating
light, is the abode of deities and God.
The process of making a "pura"
(temple) is stated within the palmyra manuscript
Sang Hyang Kamahayanikan, where a temple
is surrounded by compounded walls (castle)
as a specific sign and also serving to maintain
the sacredness of the temple later. According
to the belief of Balinese people, founding
a temple along with its orders and accompanying
ritual system comprises one of the implementations
of Deva Yajna (holy sacrifice to God). In
the palmyra manuscript Tatwaning Kusuma
it is described that one who would like
to establish a complete sanctum with its
ritual procession will obtain bliss in his
life. Temples spreading out across the nooks
and crannies of Bali serves as sturdy castle
safeguarding the security of Balinese people
against several hazards.
Not everyone can enter the temple compound
at any time. There are some norms and local
traditions that should be respected and
followed by all visitors including you,
foreign tourists. For instance, every visitor
should put on a Balinese costume. Women
during their monthly period, one in temporary
impurity (due to a death of family’s
member), one with physical defect or certain
contagious disease are not permitted to
enter the temple. Meanwhile, in the innermost
courtyard (jeroan), household mothers are
forbidden to breastfeed their baby and everyone
should implement the tri kaya parisudha
(three sacred behaviour comprising the thoughts,
words and deeds).
For further details on Bali Island as living
museum, your guide will give more information
during your journey in accordance with local
traditions as each village has different
traditions, way of life and norms. Probably,
there is a slight distinction on the function
and significance of a place or thing in
compliance with its value and norm of life
valid at that locality and they should not
be contrasted. That’s the pure richness
of Balinese culture, diversity in togetherness.
Have a nice holiday! (Ketut Sumadi—Contributor
of Bali Travel News)
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