Bali is a province of Indonesia with a distinct Hindu-majority culture unique in the archipelago. See the Indonesia culture page for the national framework [1]. This page covers practical cultural items specific to living in Bali.
Religion: Balinese Hinduism
Balinese Hinduism (Agama Hindu Dharma) is unlike the Hinduism of India. It blends Hindu deities (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma) with indigenous animism and ancestor worship:
- Tri Hita Karana: the three causes of well-being: harmony between humans, nature, and the gods. This philosophy underlies Balinese life.
- Temple system: every village has three main temples (pura): Pura Puseh (origin temple), Pura Desa (village temple), Pura Dalem (death temple). Households have their own temple shrines. Rice fields have their own temples. A conservative estimate is 20,000 temples on the island.
- Canang sari: small palm-leaf baskets filled with flowers and incense are placed at temple shrines, house gates, and businesses as daily offerings. You'll see them on the ground everywhere. Do not step on them. Walk around. If you accidentally kick one over, pick it up and replace it respectfully.
- Ceremonies: Balinese life runs on a complex calendar (the 210-day Pawukon cycle and the lunar month cycle combined). Odalan (temple anniversaries) are celebrated with processions, music (gamelan), and dance. Major ceremonies (ngaben / cremation, melasti / purification) involve the whole community. Ceremonies often close roads.
Social norms
- Banjar: the neighbourhood association that governs village life. Every adult male in a traditional Balinese community takes part in banjar activities (ceremonies, gotong royong / community work, security). Foreign residents generally don't need to join but should contribute when asked (typically a fee of 50,000-100,000 IDR per ceremony).
- Subak: the traditional irrigation cooperative system for rice farming, a UNESCO-recognised cultural landscape. Water allocation among farmers is managed cooperatively through the subak. Not directly relevant to most expats, but understanding it helps explain the rice terrace landscape.
- Rudeness: public anger, raised voices, and aggressive behaviour are deeply inappropriate in Balinese culture. People handle disagreements through intermediaries or quiet discussion. A Balinese person who disagrees will often say "yes" to acknowledge receipt of information, not to mean agreement. This is a common source of cross-cultural confusion.
- Politeness: subtle body language matters. Use the right hand to give or receive items. Sit with your hands on your lap rather than crossed or in pockets. When speaking, lower your voice.
Language
- Balinese: the daily language of Bali. A distinct language (not a dialect of Indonesian). Three registers (low, middle, high) based on the social status of the person addressed. Most expats learn Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) because it is simpler and universally understood. However, learning a few Balinese words (suksma = thank you, kenken kabare = how are you) is warmly received.
- Indonesian: used for government, education, and inter-ethnic communication. All Balinese speak Indonesian.
- English: widely spoken in tourism areas (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, Ubud). English is limited in daily interactions outside the tourist belt.
Festivals
- Nyepi (Day of Silence): Balinese New Year (March). The entire island shuts down for 24 hours: no flights, no traffic, no lights, no work, no entertainment, no leaving the house. Tourists must stay within hotel grounds (and must stay in the hotel, not on the beach or street). The day before Nyepi is the Ogoh-Ogoh parade where giant demon statues parade through the streets. The day after Nyepi is a return to normal.
- Galungan: a 10-day celebration of dharma's victory over adharma, every 210 days. Penjor (tall decorated bamboo poles) line the streets. Families visit temples.
- Kuningan: the last day of Galungan. Special offerings.
- Odalan: individual temple festivals. The local banjar will inform you if your temple's odalan is approaching.
- Ngaben: cremation ceremonies. In Bali, cremation is a colourful celebration, not a sombre funeral. Multiple families often hold joint cremations.
Daily life for a foreign resident
- Offerings: you will step over offerings daily. Walk around them, never on them. If a ceremony disrupts your road (and ceremonies frequently do), wait patiently. The ceremony takes priority.
- Dress: at temples, you need a sarong and sash (selendang). Many temples lend them at the entrance. Off the beach, dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees) when visiting villages and government offices. In Canggu and Seminyak, Western beachwear is common but not appropriate for temple or village visits.
- Time: "Bali time" is a known concept. Ceremonies start when preparations are complete, not at a printed hour. Service appointments (repairs, deliveries) may arrive hours late or the next day.
- Karma: events are often attributed to "karma" (cosmic cause and effect). Karma explains both good fortune and misfortune. It is not discussed as a religious concept in daily conversation but as a folk explanation.
This page provides general orientation. Observe and adapt to local norms.