Balinese Women
Creative and Tolerant

When Balinese children grow mature, their parents will motivate and advise their daughters to become bungan natah, not luh luu (beneficial flower not scum of society). On that account, since childhood, the Balinese girls have been given various skills concerning with the arts such as dancing, making handicraft and oblation or Hindu ritual paraphernalia. All of such art activities can guide the Balinese women to become women that are religious, creative, tolerant and having extraordinary resolution in facing the difficulties of life.
Learning by doing is a model of non-formal education for children in the circle of parents in Bali in the past time and it in fact played an important role in implanting the mature morality and personality values amongst the young girls to make them independent individuals. The understanding of parents in Bali on the gender concept, treating the women equally to men, has been in practice from time immemorial. Behaviour of the parents in educating the women in daily life is presumably inspired by the story of Kunti Devi in the Mahabharata epic, where the resolution and hard work of the spouse of King Pandu could lead their children, the Pandavas, to respected king and accomplished to uphold the dharma in the Hastina Kingdom.
In the age development today, where nearly all girls get formal and non-formal education at school, they grow into Balinese women having an extensive perspective and knowledge. Based on this they develop determined work ethics so wherever they live they would be creative and ready to improve their life.
Today, many Balinese women are busy with several kinds of activity. They work hard in various sectors, so the sight that familiarly discernible in day-to-day life in Bali is the energetic women in undertaking their tasks. They can become workers at building and road construction, farmer, trader, cattle breeder, artist up to office women in trendy look. At noon, they work filled with mud or sweat under the fierce of sun, while at night they could make a sparkling presentation on stage becoming dancer that tempts every single tourist or entertain people through an art performance at particular temple.
Galungan, Christmas and New Year
December 2006 is a busy period for women in Bali. Series of feast days like the Galungan (29 November) and Kuningan (9 December) take most of their time. If you spend your holiday in Bali, attempt to visit traditional markets all around Bali. You must be watching the Balinese women crowding in the midst of markets, purchasing the ritual paraphernalia. Some are purchasing young coconut leaf, fruits, flowers, flour, and meat and so on. Hustle and bustle of market along with its bargaining session between the customer and trader comes in an attractive sight.
Several types of oblations are made and then presented at temple, family shrine and other places made sacred. They never complain to undertake all ingredients of the oblation due to the concept of ngayah or devotional service that has become their fundamental of life. They are confident that whatever is done wholeheartedly and in pure heart will definitely bear advantageous pahala (fruit) for their survival.
All the time, Balinese women firmly hold on to the concept of rwa bhineda, where between purusa and pradana (man and woman) there should be respect and cooperation to each other. From these two elements, as a matter of fact, the life begins as well as moves on. One that wishes to establish the life welfare, the two elements should be grasped and implemented thoroughly. It’s not surprising that a Balinese woman who is successful as trader for instance, remains to consider her role as giver of an additional income for her husband. This humble attitude even becomes a spirit for Balinese men to improve their performance.
Still in the ambience of Galungan and Kuningan, the Balinese women, who are deeply involved in the domain of handicraft, are also busy by abundant orders of souvenir pertaining to the celebration of Christmas (25 December) and New Year (1 January 2007). They are immensely proficient in making numerous kinds of souvenirs and assorted accessories required by Christian devotees in celebrating Christmas and New Year. A high tolerant attitude to devotees of other religions is demonstrated by Balinese women by providing articles and Christmas souvenirs. Please have a closer look at the attitude of traders selling the needs of Christmas and New Year at traditional markets and you assuredly see their friendly greetings and services. Just as at the centers of small handicraft like in Denpasar, Gianyar and Badung the craftsmen are delighted to serve your needs for Christmas and New Year souvenir. (BTN/Ketut Sumadi)