IN ANCIENT BALI.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 312, 31 October 1929, Page 1

IN ANCIENT BALI.

A PICTURESQUE ISLAND. Strange Customs Exist. Weird Dances for Gods. In Java’s colourful territory are many natives who cling to the past and the customs of their forefathers, scorning modern transportation with the superior indifference of the Orient. Yet even on the Island of Bali, which remains a stronghold of ancient customs, 225 American cars are said to have been sold last year to a population whose whole life is devoted to the glory of the gods, that works only to live, not to enrich itself.

Bali, a small island to the east of Sr erabaia, is one of the most beautiful of the Dutch East Indies group. The inhabitants are the last of the mighty Hindu Empire which once dominated over the East Indies and though the motor car has come into their life they are still true to the religion and traditions of the past. The native brings as a thank offering to his gods the very best of his harvest, his most golden rice, his most delicious fruits, and his most gorgeous flowers. Superstition plays a great part in the life of the Balinese—even to-day the anxious mother places offerings of rice, candles, a cask of water, and a lamp in the middle of the road for the evil spirits so that they may not need to enter her house.

Dancing Part of Religion. The Balinese dances, which are •famous throughout the world, are part of their religion, and a dance festival requires weeks of preparation, including the placing of flowers on long tables between burning incense jars to attract the attention of {he gods and notify them that their believers are about to pay ’tribute. In purity of line and form the Balinese woman is credited with being superior to any of her Eastern sisters and vies in beauty with the ancient sculptures. And of all these the dancers are the most beautiful. “ When the last rays pf the sun fall on the flaming red brick walls,” says a writer in General Motors World, “ the Balinese come from all sides in solemn and silent procession and form a large circle in the forecourt of the temple. Very softly and mysteriously the notes of the gamelan are heard with the wind, becoming gradually louder and louder to unite in one great accord. Suddenly the dancer stands in the temple gate and slowly descends the steps to the circle, her high headdress decorated with flowers, her golden bracelets reflecting the last rays of the sun and her sarong rustling as she moves in front of the squatting worshippers. “ Strange shadows play on the walls from the torches that have now been lit, for night comes with suddenness in Java. , The dancer lifts her hands slightly, the wrists move, and the lingers begin to gesture. With short twists she turns the upper part of her body from one side to the other, and her arms, like writhing snakes, follow the movement. Her head moves with the same sharp movements and the headdress becomes a fantastic and glittering thing in the wavering lights. The movements become faster and the music of the gamelan more sensuous. Then, at a moment when it seems a human body could no longer stand such sustained motion, the dancer’s body collapses. “ To the Balinese, all life is religion. The dead are cremated, not because of the purifying effects of fire, but because their ancient religion teaches them that the spirit will not leave the body until aii flesh has been destroyed. Cremation is accompanied by a feast and ceremonies that are magnificent and very expensive. For this reason several bodies are cremated at the same time in order to reduce the costs.

Death Towers Decorated. “ During the period that the bodies are waiting to be cremated they are embalmed and placed in a special house near the dwelling used in life,

and no day passes without food being brought for the restless souls. The villagers all aid in the construction of the death towers of bamboo which are decorated with flowers, cotton and pieces of glass and tin. Offerings of rice, fruit and flowers are made by the villagers as the priest ponders much and then decides on what date the great feast will take place. “ On that day the coffins, wrapped in white cloth, are carried from the outhouses and a number of almost naked men dance about them, screaming and shouting. The noise subsides only when the bodies are placed in position in the towers. “ Numerous fantastic and naive ceremonies are then performed and the towers are stripped of their decoration before being ignited. Amid the flames, and smoke, the spirit ascends to Heaven and nothing remains of its earthly greatness. At night the relatives collect the ashes and throw them into the sea, hoping that the sojourn of their relatives with the gods will be of short duration and that they will soon return to their beautiful Bali. “ Until a short time ago, tourists were few, but to-day there are many foreign visitors to Java. A hotel has been erected, and, after many long discussions with the headmen of the villages, on certain occasions 'tourists are permitted to view the religious ceremonies. “ Pig raising is one of the principal industries of Bali, and it is this industry that has broken tradition and started the use of motor trucks. Previously, the squealing pigs, under protest, were forced into baskets of split bamboo and stacked on slowmoving ox carts. Eventually they reached their destination, half of them dead. The trucks have changed this with resultant profit to the shippers.”