Bale Bengong

Oleh Janet De Neefe

The spirit of liberty has been running through the streets of Bali with Indonesia celebrating its Hari Raya Kemerdekaan, Independence Day. Red and white flags are still flapping in the breeze along the streets, shop fronts and tied to cars, in a robust demonstration of “freedom”.

Meanwhile, in the villages, Bali is celebrating Galungan. Galungan occurs twice a year and ultimately symbolizes the battle of good over evil and the victory of dharma. This is also a time when the deified ancestors are said to return to their family shrines in the compound for ten days, until the time of reunion expires and they fly back to the heavens. Penjors, or decorated bamboo poles, now line the streets creating a romantic, shady canopy throughout Bali.

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