Table of contents | Bali Echo Visitor's Guide

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Oct/Nov, 1998
No. 037/VI/98

On Live The Banjar
Balinese communalism in the age of reform

All In Good Fun
Lombok's stick fighters

Regular

Home Grown
Grommet Grrls

Gallery
Murni's Pure Instinct

Health and Beauty
Ubud's Bali Hati Foundation

Adventure
Cruising on the High Seas

Food
Hard Rocks's new spirit

Books
The Kris of Death reviewed

Fiction
Oka Rusmini's 'Clouds over Kuri Gede'

Jungle Drums

Tide Charts

Bali Sing Kenken

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Welcome to Bali Echo Visitor's Guide Magazine

These days it's difficult to come up with ideas for features that don't in some way touch on the issue of reformasi - the Indonesian word for the era of reform that the nation is currently undergoing. This is in spite of the fact that Bali Echo is, officially, a Visitor's Guide. That means it aims to represent the vibrance and dynamism of Bali's 'cultural' aspects and attempts to unravel their mystique to the oft-intrigued - and unavoidably so - visitor. It also means that the magazine does not set out to probe matters of political concern. But reformasi is more than just that.

from editor

One afternoon. A group of children are playing in a building with a dirt floor. Some of them are running around, some of them are crowded around a chess board, and others are sitting on a long wooden bench. At another end of the building, a group of old men are chatting, each holding their prize fighting cocks. They are talking about the tajen (cock fight). While the men chat, the cocks begin to crow, one after another, stirring up a great clamour. In another corner of the building some old trader women are busy selling peanuts, rujak, tipat and Balinese cakes. Such is a typical afternoon in the banjar hall of Bukit Jangkrik, about 3 kilometers from Gianyar. The same kind of scene can be seen in banjars all over Bali. So, what is a banjar exactly? Wayan Suardika explains.

full story

To the Sasaks of Lombok, Presean is neither inhumane, sadistic, nor comparable to the blood sports of Roman gladiators, To them, it represents an expression of joy and wellbeing, and it is part of a number of rituals to give thanks to the gods. Presean matches take place during traditional religious rituals

full story

Teenage surfer girls Junia DS and Wayan Kartini are pioneering a new Balinese femininity.

full story

In October, when she stages her solo show at Hong Kong's Fringe Club, painter Murni will be the first Balinese artist to exhibit at the rigidly selective venue. Inspired by an childhood of poverty to develop a unique style, Murni's suceess derives from her determination to follow her own heart.

full story

Postcard from Ubud

Bali Update

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December - January 1999

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