The Balinese: Everything You Wanted to Know but Didn't Dare to Ask

Ever wondered about skipping work for ceremonies? Curious about Balinese beliefs in spirits? Questions about polygamy or post-divorce arrangements? 

Get ready to uncover the top ten intriguing queries about the Balinese!

Balancing baskets on the head while riding a bike is not that different to walking with them atop. It requires maintaining balance and steadiness, especially when moving at speed. That's why you're unlikely to spot a Balinese woman racing at high speed with a basket on her head. Mounting the basket usually requires assistance, whether travelling by foot or by bike.

While elderly individuals from remote villages may find Western food unpalatable, younger generations, particularly those raised in areas like Kuta, have developed a taste for dishes like pizza and pasta.

However, Balinese cuisine often puts its unique spin on these Western favourites to better suit local preferences. For instance, pizzas served at numerous pizza shops in Bali feature sweet dough and are accompanied by condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, and chilli sauce.

Western fast-food chains such as McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King have also adjusted their menus to cater to local tastes on the island. It's not unusual to find these establishments offering meals with rice, which is the staple food of Indonesia.

One of the quirkiest aspects of Western food, according to the Balinese, is its lack of chilli. For them, a meal just doesn't taste as satisfying without the fiery kick of this beloved spice.

Yes, in Balinese culture, spirits are believed to exist, and it is customary to communicate with them. 

For instance, when a child is born, the Balinese seek the guidance of a special priest who acts as a medium between the earthly realm and the spiritual world. During this ritual, the priest calls upon the ancestors of the family, who reveal the child's reincarnation and even suggest a name.

According to Balinese beliefs, spirits primarily reside in temples, and disturbing them is considered dangerous. 

A young Balinese man shared a mystifying experience where he urinated on a temple from the window of his second-floor room, directly above the temple. The following day, he fell severely ill and, in his delirium, claimed to have encountered the spirit of the temple—a woman— who told him that he now has the responsibility to look after the temple. As soon as he agreed, the mysterious illness inexplicably varnished.

Yes, Indonesian law protects employees' rights to attend religious ceremonies. Furthermore, employers are required to pay wages when their employees cannot work because they are fulfilling religious duties prescribed by their religion. Employers failing to accommodate this may face legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines.

While traditional herbs are available, most people rely on modern healthcare. 

However, in instances of prolonged illness, some may seek the guidance of traditional priests. These priests may administer prayers, recommend adjustments to the family compound (you can think of it as a Balinese version of feng shui), prescribe specific rituals, or procure holy water from sacred sites. 

Marriage is a personal choice for the Balinese. 

While in certain remote villages, limited exposure to outsiders can sometimes result in marriages between distant relatives, this is very rare. 

Marrying someone from a different religion is also possible, but it can pose challenges. For example, a woman from a non-Hindu background may find it difficult to make offerings or participate in ceremonies. In such cases, additional effort is required in helping the spouse adapt to and respect the Balinese traditions.

The Balinese tend to marry relatively early. In contemporary times couples tie the knots typically in the mid-20s, though historically it could occur much earlier. The early marriage tradition means that some individuals in their 40s may find themselves becoming parents to a late child and grandparents to the children of their firstborn at the same time.

Every male of age is considered an heir, resulting in property being divided among them. Upon marriage, each son receives separate quarters where he, his wife, and children will reside. These living arrangements vary, ranging from a room in a shared house to a separate dwelling within a family compound. Wealthier families may even gift sons with separate land and homes. Regardless of living situation, it's customary for at least one son to remain with the parents to care for the family temple.

In contrast, girls leave their parental home upon marriage and become associated with their husband's family. However, they still maintain connections to their birth family, and some families provide financial support or even land and property. Additionally, married daughters are still involved in family ceremonies and may pray at the family temple during designated times. 

Families may choose to adopt a son, typically a male relative or one of their daughters' husbands. 

This is a sensitive process, as the birth family of the adoptive son must consent to it, and families aren’t usually happy to part with their sons (read to the end to find out why). 

Yet, practical considerations sometimes prompt families to agree to such arrangements. For instance, if a family has numerous sons but insufficient property to distribute among them, they might agree to having one of their sons adopted in this way. 

Post-adoption, the adopted son becomes affiliated with the caste and family temple of his adoptive family, relinquishing ties to those assigned to him by birth. 

This practice highlights the complex dynamics surrounding inheritance and familial obligations in Balinese society.

Traditionally, yes. 

Polygamy was once widespread in Bali, but nowadays it's less common due to practical concerns like the financial burden. However, some affluent individuals still maintain multiple marriages. 

Another change in this respect is the shift in women’s rights. With many women now actively contributing to the family income, they possess a stronger position regarding their rights compared to the past when men were the primary providers.

As for the women’s attitudes towards polygamy, the following story illustrates that it was never welcomed by the Balinese women. A Balinese man in his 50s, recounts that, upon learning of her husband's intention to marry a second wife, his grandmother left him, taking their children with her. 

Yes, it’s true. 

In Balinese tradition, children, particularly sons, hold a significant role in preserving family traditions and managing temple duties. Hence, the goal is to maintain their bond with their paternal lineage. 

As a result, it's common for children to remain with their fathers after divorce. However, practical circumstances may necessitate arrangements where paternal grandparents or female relatives assume caregiving responsibilities. Although instances exist where mothers raise their children post-divorce, the children still maintain official ties and inheritance rights within their father's family.