The original religion of the Balinese region was animistic. Defined by Wikipedia: “Animism (from Latin anima "soul, life") is a philosophical, religious or spiritual idea that souls or spirits exist not only in humans but also in other animals, plants, rocks, natural phenomena such as thunder, geographic features such as mountains or rivers, or other entities of the natural environment.”[1] In Bali, there was a prevailing belief in the powers of nature-spirits and of deceased souls unseen by our world. Medicine men or Shamans were the societal figures who understood and navigated these mysterious dimensions.
Rituals, called Selamatans, for the dead prompted gatherings on the third, seventh, fortieth, hundredth and thousandth day anniversary of the deceased relatives. Food is offered as a sacrifice to the soul of the deceased, and upon the thousandth day, it was believed that the soul would disintegrate and reincarnate into another existence.
Hinduism arrived to Indonesia in the 5th century and took root in the lives and values of the Balinese. Despite the adoption of this new religion, the Balinese people never let go of their animistic beliefs, but instead, adapted them to Hinduism. About a thousand years later in the 15th century, Islam was introduced to Indonesia, and it was like Hinduism, adapted to suit the populations existing animistic beliefs.[2]
To this day, the rooted beliefs of a deeper spiritual connection with the earth and its different dimensions remains a part of the life of the Balinese. Army generals helicopter into the camps of mystics in E.Java (Blitar) for spiritual consultations. Witch doctors (dukun) exorcise evil spirits from granaries, temples, cars, hotels, swimming pools. Thieves use black magic to rob houses. There are devils, ghosts which steal children (wewe) and lure young men (puntianak).[3]
Be respectful of these spiritual beliefs of the Balinese culture, and be aware of the spirits that walk among us on the streets of Bali.
For an interesting related article about Balinese Mysticism, read this article in the New York Times:
Poyo, 72, lives under a tree thought to be inhabited by spirits. Animist beliefs and superstitions color everyday life for many people, and occult explanations, including the power of curses and black magic, are sometimes given for everyday events.
Photo: Justin Mott for The New York Times
During his illness, many believers in Solo, the heart of Javanese culture, held that powerful occult forces in Mr. Suharto's body would not let him go and that nature had not yet signaled that it was ready to receive him.
Photo: Justin Mott for The New York Times
Mr. Suharto was known as a devout follower of mystical practices. Many Indonesians say an albino water buffalo, like this one in Solo, has special powers.
Photo: Justin Mott for The New York Times
The buffalo's waste is often used as fertilizer and is thought to bring good luck, in the form of successful crops.
Photo: Justin Mott for The New York Times
Djoyo Prayitno, 91, collects tokens of magic like the Indonesian dagger called a kris.
Photo: Justin Mott for The New York Times
I am genuinely fascinated by this post on Balinese mysticism, and the notion that there are spirits in things all around (not just humans). This knowledge will also come in handy as we walk around Bali and can better understand and respect our surroundings.
ReplyDeleteI am also curious how prevalent and apparent these spiritual connections will be as we visit. Will we observe some of these or are they done in a more private fashion? For example, how likely is it that we will get to see with our own eyes any of the aforementioned spiritual consultations, exorcisms, black magic, or devils/ghosts which lure young men? Would be exciting to see.
We will see a lot of statues and shrines with various decorations and 'donations' (that's the best word I can think of) all over the place. I doubt we'll see the exorcisms and black magic though!!! This would be a great question to ask our hosts.
ReplyDeleteTommy: I understand your genuine fascination with this subject, but don't get too excited just yet. You will have to search the darker corners of the island to find young men in trance-like states in the throes of demonic activity. Exorcisms and black magic, however, aren't to be toyed with lightly. To the spiritually inclined, there is perhaps a sort of internal radar that helps define spiritual activity.
ReplyDeleteThere are apparently spirits walking around everywhere in Bali though. Keep your third eye peeled.
Excellent post, Timmy. I wonder how strong of a draw this idea of spirituality and mysticism creates for Bali. While I'm sure beautiful beaches and 5-star hotels appeal to many, I'm curious whether this dark, unexplored side of Bali contributes to a mysterious and perhaps even subconscious pull for tourists. Before reading this post, I thought of Bali as just another resort island - similar to DR or Cayman or any other beachy place. Now that there's this mystic twist involved, I'm getting this tingly, adrenaline-like feeling inside that's telling me to charge my batteries and have both cameras ready for next week. ;)
ReplyDeleteBali is definitely NOT another resort destination. There's something about it--hard to describe--that is just quite different. I don't think we'll see the exorcism sort of stuff (!!!), but there's a whole different feel there. Have any of you spent enough time in Indonesia so that you might be able to help explain it to us. Definitely have the cameras ready!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a interesting topic. During our trip, maybe we should pay attention to how to make use of the Bali mysticism to make the hospitality service there more unique and interesting.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I hope you were not thinking along the lines of the Blair Witch Project.
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note, I was reading up on cultural tourism in Bali and how a huge part of Bali's charm is its culture. The fact that the Balinese are so much in touch with their beliefs and their religion that is has become part of their way of life may have something to do with that certain something that makes Bali unique from other beach destinations.
Thanks Tim! This post made me more excited to explore the inner realms of Balinese culture :)
Great post Tim! Speaking from some of the stories I've heard from my family about travelers going to Bali or just Southeast Asia in general, mysticism plays a large role in people's preparation for a trip to these areas, at least those that are from other Asian countries (China, Taiwan, etc.) It is commonly believed that there are evil spirits that may be cast upon travelers or even locals through the witch doctors that perform black magic. Of course I have never witnessed it myself, but there have been stores in which people's souls were lost or they were cast an evil spell which made them become a different person when they came back to their respective homes. As such, many people pray for protection at nearby temples prior to visiting these countries.
ReplyDeleteI would like to also point out that it can also be due to increasing popularity of mysticism shown in a horrific light through the blockbuster films out of Southeast Asia that show such cases. Whether or not it is true, you guys can determine that yourselves...
Below is a link of some interesting articles about these movies...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_of_the_Devil
http://www.fright.com/edge/mystics.html
This really reminds me of the evolution of voodoo in Haiti and Louisiana - how West African voodoo merged with aspects of Roman Catholicism and turned into its own unique entity in each of those places. Definitely agree with everyone that Bali mysticism is super interesting!
ReplyDeleteReading these postings makes me think about our research on terrorism in Bali. Not only were lives lost, but spirits were damaged, (possibly lost?) and structures destroyed by the bombings. I look forward to asking if the local Balinese blamed spiritual forces outside of the terrorist groups for the destruction...
ReplyDeleteThe information on Dukun (Witch Doctors) reminds me of similar notions and beliefs prevalent among Hindus in India.I have personally witnessed how these doctors are welcomed by people wherever they travel in rural India.It will be very intresting to ask locals about their behaviour and attitudes towards these"Doctors"
ReplyDeletePerhaps the notion of spirits walking around Bali all the time is the reason for many houses and shops to have little thatched platters of offerings at their entrance. When i was at Club Med last year, I got a chance to observe two women take up the best of a day making enough to put around the property.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there are opportunities for students to submerge themselves in the mystic lifestyle on Bali as a way of gaining perspective for healing/wellness practices (from doctors to spa staff), and if these mystic beliefs might influence those who get to spend time in that lifestyle. I wonder if there are other group of people with similar beliefs (at least prior to Hinduism/Islam) in other parts of Indonesia, and (from a background in evolutionary anthropology) how much commonality these religious beliefs have with other peoples all over the world (such as tribes in Africa or South America).
ReplyDeleteGoing back to Margaret's post, is there anything we (the foreigners) can do to make sure we return the same (or better) people, and in one piece? And with our souls intact? This whole talk of mysticism and terrorism and food poisoning and voodoo dolls is adding quite a bit of spice to our adventures next week! I guess it's not just another resort island after all. :)
ReplyDelete