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ABSTRACT

Balinese folklore is like a hidden chest of stories, passed down through generations on the Indonesian island of Bali. These tales are deeply woven into the island’s fabric of culture, religion, and natural surroundings. They often revolve around gods, spirits, and mystical creatures, reflecting the Balinese people’s spiritual beliefs and their connection to unseen realms. Balinese individuals maintain a unique relationship with these spirits—fearing, worshiping, feeding, and respecting them. During Nyepi, the “Day of Silence,” Bali stands still: no lights, no noise, and no activity. The purpose is to cleverly deceive malevolent spirits into believing the island is deserted, ensuring peace for another year. This interplay between the seen and unseen realms is at the heart of Balinese existence, infusing daily life with magic, reverence, and a profound connection to the spiritual realm. Join me as we explore some of the basics of how the modern cultural practices within the lives of the Balinese people are infused with their ancient mythology.

BALINESE CALENDAR

Rituals throughout the year

The Balinese calendar is a pivotal element in the daily rhythm of Bali’s inhabitants. Deeply rooted in age-old customs and seamlessly integrated into the fabric of Balinese society, it dictates the scheduling of festivals, rituals, and daily tasks. Originating from the 14th-century Majapahit Empire in Java, this calendar system was brought to Bali by Hindu rulers seeking sanctuary.

Distinct from the Western calendar, the Pawukon follows a 210-day cycle and eschews the division of time into months and weeks. Instead, it features ten separate week systems, each with a different number of days. Every day within these weeks is given a specific name, culminating in an impressive array of 55 day names. Although not every week is of equal importance, the Balinese place special emphasis on the weeks that span three, five, and seven days, which correspond with market schedules and hold particular significance in Hindu-Balinese religious beliefs.

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BALIANS

Balinese Healers

Balians are the revered traditional healers in Bali, engaging with sacred energies to heal both body and mind, dispel enchantments, and facilitate ancestral energy flow.

Many Balians gain their expertise through the study of ancient texts known as lontar and mentorship under seasoned practitioners. The Balinese way of life is deeply interwoven with a belief in the supernatural, healers, incantations, and symbolic practices. These spiritual practitioners are pivotal in reestablishing equilibrium and health, serving as intermediaries between the corporeal and ethereal worlds. Among them, the legendary healer Pak Sirkus is celebrated for his extraordinary healing powers, capable of mending fractures and alleviating bodily discomfort with his therapeutic touch and a simple stick.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF STORYTELLING

Balinese narratives form the cornerstone of the island’s vibrant cultural legacy. These tales are perpetually woven and re-woven, acting as a conduit across generations, providing amusement, and imparting ethical lessons. Join us as we explore the enthralling realm of Balinese tales and their ties to ceremonial acts and theatrical displays.​

 

The Living Tradition of Storytelling:

Kayonan: This pivotal puppet in Balinese wayang shadow theatre, the Kayonan, epitomizes the dynamic tradition of storytelling. Its dance intertwines Balinese cultural strands, narrating, delighting, and uniting communities.

Ramayana and Other Epics: Epics such as the Ramayana are disseminated chiefly through diverse art forms, notably:

  • Wayang Kulit: A time-honored storytelling medium in Bali, wayang kulit features shadow play. The dalang (puppeteer) operates from behind a canvas, animating puppets crafted from buffalo leather. These shows are inspired by Indian sagas like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, along with native Indonesian tales. The dalang skillfully alters voices for each persona, synchronized with a traditional instrumental ensemble.

  • Masked Dance and Chants: The art of Balinese storytelling is also expressed through masked dances, chants, and other dramatic forms. These performances are dual-purpose, acting as devotional offerings and communal entertainment.

  • Art, Ritual, and Performance: Balinese culture sees a fusion of art, ritual, and performance. A mask, once intricately carved and consecrated, is believed to be animated by a deity in rituals. When used in dance, it transforms into an emblem of protection.

  • Daily Rituals: These narratives are brought to life in everyday ceremonies and enactments, preserving cosmic harmony and order.

To encapsulate, Balinese storytelling is a timeless conduit, weaving together the past, present, and future with the enchantment of narrative, silhouette, and movement.

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BALINESE MYTHOLOGY: CHANGELINGS

Within the lush landscapes of Bali, a mystical phenomenon unfolds—the changeling. Unlike its European counterpart, this Balinese changeling emerges from the shadows, its presence both intriguing and unsettling. Known locally as “bajang cholong,” it embodies the delicate dance between the human and the otherworldly. Imagine a mother cradling her newborn, only to discover that her child has been replaced by an uncanny creature; a being not quite human. Balinese folklore weaves tales of these exchanged infants, their origins shrouded in mystery. Fairies, elves, and dwarfs flit through the narrative, leaving traces of magic in their wake.

In Bali, the changeling is more than folklore; it is a tangible force. It wears the label of “unclean” and is treated with caution. Balinese ceremonies pivot around this enigmatic presence, seeking to safeguard both child and community. Parents, their hearts heavy with ancient knowledge, perform rituals in order to ensure the child’s transformation into full humanity. Balinese ceremonies guide the child toward the light, shielding it from malevolence. In comparison to European folklore, a changeling emerges similarly as a mysterious non-human creature that stealthily replaces a human child.  Also similarly a changeling is often ill-favored and deformed, raising alarm. There are protective rituals such as involving religious objects (like a Bible or prayer book) which are placed near cradles, and baptism renders the child immune to fairy influence. 

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Bibliography

Yuniari, I Gst. Agung Mas Era, et al. "Transitivity and Social Context in Balinese Folklores: A Systemic Functional Perspective." Theory and Practice in Language Studies, vol. 13, no. 5, May 2023, pp. 1295+. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A749549520/AONE?u=s8405248&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=b30bd2b1. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.

 

Hooykaas, J. (1955). A journey into the realm of death. Balinese folktale with translation. Bijdragen Tot de Taal-, Land- En Volkenkunde, 111(3), 236–273. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134379-90002344

 

Hooykaas, J. (1959). A yantra of speech magic in Balinese folklore and religion. Bijdragen Tot de Taal-, Land- En Volkenkunde, 115(2), 176–191. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134379-90002242

 

Relin, R., W., R., & S, B. (2018). Local Wisdom Values in Balinese Folktales That Are Relevant to Character Education for the First Grade at Primary School. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 9(1), 155–163. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.0901.20

 

Yuniari, I. Gst. A. M. E., Kasni, N. W., & Sutjaja, I. G. M. (2023). Transitivity and Social Context in Balinese Folklores: A Systemic Functional Perspective. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 13(5), 1295–1303. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1305.25

 

Kamei, R. K. (2003). Why dying doesn’t seem to matter: the influence of culture on physicians in Bali, Indonesia. Academic Medicine, 78(6), 635–635. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001888-200306000-0001

Samantha McKinley

Anthropology 452

Winter 2024

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