Indonesia

IndonesiaIndonesia

• Where in the world is Indonesia?• Southeast Asia, that’s where…• Lonely Planet photographs• “Indonesia is now the world's third-largest democracy, the world's

largest archipelagic state, and home to the world's largest Muslim population.”

• CIA 2010• More than 17,500 islands; 6,000 are inhabited; 1,000 of which are

permanently settled. • The island of Java, roughly the size of New York State, is the most

populous island in the world (124 million, 2005 est.) and one of the most densely populated areas in the world

– CIA Library and Facts on IndonesiaCIA Library and Facts on Indonesia– http://www.indonesia-tourism.comhttp://www.indonesia-tourism.com//

Science: Prodigious PlantScience: Prodigious PlantTIME MAGAZINETIME MAGAZINEMonday, Jun. 21, 1937Monday, Jun. 21, 1937

• “A specimen of the world's largest known flower last week bloomed in the U. S. for the first time. Custodian of this prodigy, whose scientific name is Amorphophallus titanum and which is called krubi by the islanders of its native Sumatra, was the New York Botanical Garden in The Bronx. Only five times before had Amorphophallus titanum bloomed outside the Sumatra jungle—twice in London's Kew Gardens, once in Holland, once in Germany, once in a botanical garden in Java.”

““Corpse plant"Corpse plant"

• “When it blooms it releases a pleasant smell of garbage and rotting meat, depending on who you ask.

• The plant is believed to be the largest flower that doesn't grow on a tree, and has been known to grow over 12 feet high at home on its native Sumatra.

• The stench is key to the plant's survival: it attracts carrion beetles and other pollinators. Carrion beetles lay their eggs in rotting animals, so the plant mimics the smell as a means of ensuring its survival….

• It has an incredibly... unique... appearance. Let's just say that whoever named it was right on.””

Amorphophallus titanum US Botanical Garden, owned by the Smithsonian:

The Traditional Culture of The Traditional Culture of BaliBali

• An island just east of Java in the An island just east of Java in the Malaysia ArchipelagoMalaysia Archipelago of Indonesiaof Indonesia

The Island of BaliThe Island of Bali

The Environment

• 2000 years ago farming began

• Today less than 1/3 of the island is forested

• A volcanic chain forms a large amphitheater in the south where most people live. It is called the Balinese rice bowl.

• Monsoon rains run hundreds of inches of rain to the sea through 80 north south running rivers.

• Each river is cut 50 to 200 feet deep into the volcanic soil, creating such steep sided trenches that east-west travel is almost impossible.

Deep cut ravines, with steep, impassable sides

Farming

• Villages are arranged in strings along the ridges between the rivers and on terraces on the slopes.

• On the north side of the mountains, the plain is shorter, with only two villages on the ridges, with others on terraces.

• Farming was not irrigated until 500AD - mining techniques were needed to deal with the deep ravines.

• The real value of the north is its access to the maritime trade routes

The People:The People:

• The first people: 5-6000 years before present. • Austronesians from Taiwan - known from

language and religion (temples with square stone-walled courtyards). They populated from Madagascar across the Pacific to Easter Island.

• They came to Bali and gave up the sea to build an amazing civilization!

Some faces of Bali...Some faces of Bali...

Position in Traditional BaliPosition in Traditional Bali

• People in Bali organized themselves in People in Bali organized themselves in terms of natural and social geographyterms of natural and social geography

•kajakaja - means upstream, or towards - means upstream, or towards the mountains. It is equivalent to the mountains. It is equivalent to goodness and heaven.goodness and heaven.

•kelodkelod - means downstream, or - means downstream, or towards the sea. It is equivalent to filth towards the sea. It is equivalent to filth and evil. Downstream is the direction and evil. Downstream is the direction of sewage.of sewage.

Con’tCon’t

• ALL things are arranged in terms of these ALL things are arranged in terms of these two directions.two directions.

• Houses: shrines are kaja, kitchens, stock Houses: shrines are kaja, kitchens, stock pens and bathrooms are kelod.(eating is pens and bathrooms are kelod.(eating is considered animal like)considered animal like)

• Villages: Shrines are kaja, cemeteries are Villages: Shrines are kaja, cemeteries are kelod.kelod.

• (In America we don’t keep toilet paper in (In America we don’t keep toilet paper in the kitchen! In Japan they don’t have a the kitchen! In Japan they don’t have a toilet in the same room with the bathtub!)toilet in the same room with the bathtub!)

http://

http://baliguide.com/weather/index.html

kaja and kelod

• PalingPaling - - an illness of disorientation an illness of disorientation caused by not knowing one’s position. caused by not knowing one’s position. Because of this, the Balinese do not Because of this, the Balinese do not like to drink alcohol.like to drink alcohol.

• The ocean is kelod. It is away from the The ocean is kelod. It is away from the mountains where the gods live, it is mountains where the gods live, it is where all the filth washes away to, and where all the filth washes away to, and it is easy to become disoriented there.it is easy to become disoriented there.

kaja, kaja, where the gods where the gods

livelive

kelod,kelod, where where

demons are at demons are at homehome

Humans are kaja and kelod as well.Humans are kaja and kelod as well.

• The head is kaja, the feet are kelod.The head is kaja, the feet are kelod.• Thus a person would Thus a person would NEVERNEVER turn around in bed, or- turn around in bed, or-• stand on your head, or-stand on your head, or-• throw a child up and down, or spin them dizzythrow a child up and down, or spin them dizzy• or put your head below someone else’s feet.or put your head below someone else’s feet.• --it is simply --it is simply wrong wrong - demons are sometimes - demons are sometimes

upside down.upside down.

However...However...

• It is never that simple. Villages It is never that simple. Villages obviously stretch up and down a obviously stretch up and down a ridge - so if it were this simple, only ridge - so if it were this simple, only one would be kaja, and all others one would be kaja, and all others kelod. kelod.

• Kaja and kelod are balanced, so each Kaja and kelod are balanced, so each village is balanced…as is each house, village is balanced…as is each house, as is each person...as is each person...

Demons are kelod.Demons are kelod.

PoisePoise

• All adults are poised. They carry themselves with care. Children are taught poise. Each movement is done carefully and with purpose.

• People don’t just walk, but place each step, place each arm/hand, turn their heads precisely and so on.

• “Shocking the body” occurs when movements are impulsive. It disturbs the feeling of well being.

• Falling is a very bad omen.

I’m I’m talking talking about about poisepoise here.here.

IllnessIllness

• Strength and Purity are balanced with Strength and Purity are balanced with weakness and impurity.weakness and impurity.

• Illness waits for the body to be “out of Illness waits for the body to be “out of balance”.balance”.

• Illness is a failure, because it comes from Illness is a failure, because it comes from “giving up” the fight to stay in balance.“giving up” the fight to stay in balance.

• One does not encourage illness by One does not encourage illness by “pampering”“pampering”

Of course in country like this, it doesn’t Of course in country like this, it doesn’t hurt to be careful where you put your hurt to be careful where you put your feet. And it’s easy to see why falling is feet. And it’s easy to see why falling is a “bad omen”.a “bad omen”.

Kaja and KelodKaja and Kelod

• It is misleading to see them as It is misleading to see them as simple opposites. simple opposites.

• Rather, they are balanced opposites.Rather, they are balanced opposites.

• They must exist together, as They must exist together, as complimentary states.complimentary states.

• Everyone is both, everything is both.Everyone is both, everything is both.

There are other ways of organizing, as There are other ways of organizing, as well.well.“Outer World” (Bhuana Agung) “Outer World” (Bhuana Agung) “Inner world” (Bhana Alit)“Inner world” (Bhana Alit)

• The “Outer World” is organized as three worlds - heaven (swah), the human world (bwah) and the lower world (bhur).

• Bali follows this ordering - The gods’ mountains are Swah, the plains are Bwah and the sea is Bhur.

• A village: upstream with temples is Swah, The houses are Bwah and the lower end with the cemetery is Bhur

• A temple: Where the offerings are is Swah, the courtyard is Bwah, and just outside the gates is Bhur.

• Human: head is Swah, Torso is Bwah, knees down is Bhur.

• So at Western, faculty offices are clearly Swah, classrooms Bwah and the dorms are definitely Bhur!!

• http://www.rasabali.com/bali-articles/kaja-&-kelod-in-balinese-40.shtml

Definitely Bhur, Definitely Bhur, not to mention kelodnot to mention kelod...my kind of kelod....my kind of kelod.

The “Inner world” (Bhana Alit)The “Inner world” (Bhana Alit)

• The inner world is similarly organized, but The inner world is similarly organized, but must be in-balance with the outer world. must be in-balance with the outer world.

• And all must be in balance with kaja and And all must be in balance with kaja and kelodkelod

• If the door of the house is out of balance If the door of the house is out of balance (placed badly) then the inhabitant can (placed badly) then the inhabitant can suffer from various ills, such as:suffer from various ills, such as:

• Pamali - a wind in the body (!!!) Pamali - a wind in the body (!!!)

• Correcting the outer world can balance the Correcting the outer world can balance the inner world and so on… it is very complex!inner world and so on… it is very complex!

• This issue is balancing the opposites.This issue is balancing the opposites.

Visible and Invisible EnergyVisible and Invisible Energy

• One must be in balance with the proper One must be in balance with the proper energy. energy.

• Learning is an invisible energy!Learning is an invisible energy!

• If one lives in a house that is above If one lives in a house that is above one’s position, then the energy will be one’s position, then the energy will be too strong and you will be “burned.” too strong and you will be “burned.”

• If one lives in a house that is below one’s If one lives in a house that is below one’s position, the low energy will drain you.position, the low energy will drain you.

Kinds of OrderKinds of Order

• Kaja and kelodKaja and kelod

• Social position – caste, gender, Social position – caste, gender, generationgeneration

• Geographic positionGeographic position

• Bodily positionBodily position

• Inner and Outer worldsInner and Outer worlds

• Visible and Invisible energyVisible and Invisible energy

The Tika: Cycles of TimeThe Tika: Cycles of Time • A calendar of 210 days, divided into ten different A calendar of 210 days, divided into ten different

types of weeks ranging from 1 to 10 days in types of weeks ranging from 1 to 10 days in length. length.

• Each type of week has a different name for each Each type of week has a different name for each day in it.day in it.

• All types of weeks run concurrently, so any given All types of weeks run concurrently, so any given day has 10 different names.day has 10 different names.

• Each week has different functions:Each week has different functions:– The 8 day week gives clues to a person’s identity in past The 8 day week gives clues to a person’s identity in past

lives. lives. – The three day week is the market week. So different The three day week is the market week. So different

traders come throughout the year, but always on the traders come throughout the year, but always on the same day. Such a schedule would be much harder with same day. Such a schedule would be much harder with a 7 day week, as market day would happen on different a 7 day week, as market day would happen on different daysdays

• The eight day week - Who are you?:The eight day week - Who are you?:

• Sri - woman from the mother’s sideSri - woman from the mother’s side

• Indra - man from the father’s sideIndra - man from the father’s side

• Guru - brother of the fatherGuru - brother of the father

• Yama man from the father’s sideYama man from the father’s side

• Ludra - woman from the mother’s sideLudra - woman from the mother’s side

• Brahma - man from the father’s sideBrahma - man from the father’s side

• Kala - person who died as a childKala - person who died as a child

• Uma - sister of the mother, grandmother, etc.Uma - sister of the mother, grandmother, etc.

Kinship and NamesKinship and Names

• Kinship is dependent on only two things: Kinship is dependent on only two things: generation and gender.generation and gender.

• All men of your father’s generation on both sides All men of your father’s generation on both sides of the family are called the same thing. This of the family are called the same thing. This would include your father and uncles.would include your father and uncles.

• All the women of your mother’s generation on All the women of your mother’s generation on both sides of the family are called the same thing. both sides of the family are called the same thing. This includes Mom and all your aunts.This includes Mom and all your aunts.

• Grandparents are the same names, but by gender.Grandparents are the same names, but by gender.

• Great grandparents are the same, regardless of Great grandparents are the same, regardless of gender - Kumpi.gender - Kumpi.

• Older siblings and cousins are one term, while Older siblings and cousins are one term, while younger siblings and cousins are another - by younger siblings and cousins are another - by gender.gender.

Birth Order names:Birth Order names:

• 1) Wayan, 2) Nyoman, 3) Made, 4)Ketut and then it starts 1) Wayan, 2) Nyoman, 3) Made, 4)Ketut and then it starts over - 5) Wayan, and so on.over - 5) Wayan, and so on.

• Each name is just one more in an endless sequence of Each name is just one more in an endless sequence of names.names.

• As you age you become Father of ...or Mother of… and then As you age you become Father of ...or Mother of… and then Grandfather of …etc.Grandfather of …etc.

• Caste names are given at birth, never changed and never Caste names are given at birth, never changed and never omitted when talking to one another - they are a clear omitted when talking to one another - they are a clear social map of one’s social position.social map of one’s social position.

The ArtsThe Arts

• The air was never empty of musicThe air was never empty of music• complicated orchestral music complicated orchestral music • many many hours of rehearsalmany many hours of rehearsal• All serious literature, poems and All serious literature, poems and

prayers begin with the letter prayers begin with the letter ONG.ONG.• The sound of this letter resonates The sound of this letter resonates

through the body alerting all of one’s through the body alerting all of one’s gods and demons (your emotions, gods and demons (your emotions, qualities and thoughts) to alertness and qualities and thoughts) to alertness and to their proper places.to their proper places.

Ongggg!Ongggg!

CultureCulture

• A set ofA set of learnedlearned attitudes, beliefs and values. attitudes, beliefs and values.

• Culture shapes behavior within the context of Culture shapes behavior within the context of the situation.the situation.

• All culture is complex and unique.All culture is complex and unique.

• Balinese culture causes them to perceive a Balinese culture causes them to perceive a sense of place in a much more detailed way sense of place in a much more detailed way than Americans might perceive it.than Americans might perceive it.

• They need to maintain a balance between good They need to maintain a balance between good and evil, between their inner needs and desires and evil, between their inner needs and desires and the outer world.and the outer world.

• Is it possible that Balinese Music NOT reflect this Is it possible that Balinese Music NOT reflect this life-threatening and life preserving balance? Is it life-threatening and life preserving balance? Is it possible that Balinese Music is NOT concerned with possible that Balinese Music is NOT concerned with a sense of one’s proper place?a sense of one’s proper place?