Balinese Life

Bali in the Hands and Eyes of Foreigners

War is war and travel is travel. Probably this principle motivated tourists who visited Bali during the Dutch colonial period when a sporadic war occurred. Like a tempting blossom attracting butterflies and bumble bees, this bijou island of Bali proved magnetic to visitors. Fragrance of friendliness, humble lifestyle and sundry unique rituals has spread to every corner of the world.

When perusing old guide books of Bali, we’ll encounter photos describing the typical lifestyle before the independence. For instance, there were people bathing in open public places like rivers while taking water in clay jugs, or bare breasted women balancing a cluster of husked rice on their heads. These unique scenes were captured by photographers and painters. Every aspect of life seemingly became appealingly interesting to observe with endless ideas to express.
In harmony with the passing of time, many foreign visitors admiring Bali Island contributed their best to Bali and the world. Their observations and experiences are well documented in books or re-expressed through their fine works of art like paintings, caricatures or sketches. At least, they have shared their experience with friends in their home country through word of mouth.
In the 1930s, a dynamic and beautiful Kecak or Ramayana Monkey Chant arose in the realm of performance. It is a work engendered by the kind collaboration of famous local dancer, Wayan Limbak and German painter, Walter Spies. Inspired by the abduction of Sita by King Ravana in the sequel of Ramayana, they composed an a cappella show depicting the support given by monkey troops to the Prince Rama. Today, this dance has become an ever-interesting performance shown to tourists at home and abroad.
Another foreigner named Bob Koke, a Californian opening accommodation business in Kuta around 1936, introduced surfing to enjoy the tantalizing waves of Kuta Beach. Afterwards, many other surfers continued to explore the treasures of other beaches around the island, always searching for new playgrounds for surfing. There are now tens of surfing sites thronged by its enthusiasts like the Dreamland Beach, Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Nusa Dua, Serangan Island, Ketewel, Medewi and so forth.
In the meantime, a Mexican couple, Miguel Covarrubias and his wife, Rosa, roamed throughout Bali and other Asian countries in 1930 and 1933. Armed with a little basic artistic training and great interest in archaeology, anthropology and ethnology they captured some aspects of Balinese life. Their observation on art, dance, religion and history was then poured into a legendary book entitled Island of Bali (1937). Rosa enriched the book with interesting photographs, while Miguel completed it with enchanting illustrations. Soon the book became famous as a valuable reference and guide on the history of Bali. Besides, some favorite works of his caricatures began to appear in famous magazines like The New Yorker and Vanity Fair. Meanwhile, his prominent paintings inspired by Balinese life are Rice Field in Bali, Balinese Girl and Hen and Two Balinese Girls.
The above mentioned figures are only some of the visitors enjoying the splendor of Bali in the past and who then shared their experiences with friends. As a matter of fact, there are more foreign world-class writers, dancers, painters and those of other professions who have great merit of service to promote and introduce Bali overseas. Some of them even decided to stay in Bali while continuing to carry out their favorite activities. We are grateful for the merits of their hands and eyes! (BTN/pun)