For many years now, visitors have been drawn to Bali by its colorful culture and fabulous tropical environment. What makes this island paradise particularly fascinating, however, is the enduring quality of the culture, and the way it expresses a harmony with nature. All around the world, Bali is unique as having the last dominant and still intact spiritual culture. Many of the traditional rituals and practices are just as alive today as they ever were, and the incredible strength and resilience of the Balinese people and their culture is a testimony to the richness of their faith. It is a fascinating exercise to delve into the past and discover some of the ancient origin of today’s practice, to discover how Bali has become what it is today.

Looking back to Bali ‘s historical roots, it is difficult to put together complete chronicles, since factual evidence has not been as clearly collected and documented as have religious details. At some stage in the past, however, an indigenous populated the island. The descendants of these people, who now identified themselves as Bali Aga, practiced animism. Even today the Aga people continue to worship the spirits of nature unaffected by the predominant Hindu religion, and the former now live only in the villages of Tenganan and Trunyan.

The earliest stone implements discovered on the island were found near Trunyan, possibly the work of homo-erectus who were believed to have lived around 300,000 BC. Since little is known of the Bali ‘s stone-age ancestors, any deeper exploration into the past usually starts with the bronze-age. Bali ‘s current dependence on rice cultivation is most probably originated in this period. Ritual bronze objects, weaving, and dry rice cultivation were the legacies of the bronze-age, and most likely came from people who sailed down from the north more than 3000 years ago, or around 1000 BC.

Bu 300 BC, historical records were being kept, which identify a more advanced and organized agrarian society. By then, complex irrigation system fed cascading rice terraces in wet rice cultivation. At this time rice was already well and truly established as the major food commodity in Bali , and as its abundance and importance increased, so did its value. Dewi Sri, the ancient rice goddess, was referred then as she still is today through cili figure given as offerings. Based on the large yields of rice crops, communities became more and more wealthy and developed into more sophisticated kingdoms, each with ruling rajas.

One of the most dramatic and enduring developments in Bali ‘s history came about when a form of Hinduism which had been introduced to Java was transported and widely accepted in Bali in the first century. This religion was, in fact, a fascinating mix of Siwa Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, both originally from India and brought to Indonesia by Indian traders. The climax of its success in Java came with the rise of Majapahit empire, but these Majapahits were eventually forced further east to Bali as the Moslem religion gained followers throughout Sumatra and Java. Some Javanese shamanism was thrown in en route, and by the time this religion reached Bali , it eventually merged with Bali ‘s own form of animism. The foreign religion was welcomed enthusiastically by the Balinese, who saw it as a further step of civilization. Any discussions of art and architecture in Bali now usually refers to the “before Majapahit” period, which is distinguished by its primitive simplicity, or “after Majapahit” which is much more elaborated and detailed.

The Balinese initially resisted the arrival of the new religion strongly, however, when the Majapahits first invaded Bali in 1343. Gajah Mada, head of the Majapahit empire, had an extremely though opponent in the Balinese kingdom, Dalem Bedahulu. The king ruled from Pejeng, now a simple village east of Ubud, and this is where much of the action took place. The king was so stubborn in his resistance that he became known by Majapahits as “Pighead”. Stories which embellish events related to the king’s incredible determination and skill have survived, and he is now known, literally, as the king with the pig’s head and magical powers. Gajah Mada eventually overcame the strong king, and has been accepted as a hero and great holy man ever since.

Up until the 15 th century, the Majapahit kingdom maintained dominance in the area now known as South East Asia , and Bali was an influential province. As the link between the mother religion and her offshoot in Bali slowly dissolved over time and due to distance. Indigenous beliefs resurfaced.

European contact with Indonesia originated with Marco Polo’s visit in AD 1290, and after this time a demand of spices and other Indonesian other natural resources grew. Travelers from Spain and Protugal then continued to return to Indonesia and visited Bali for the next 200 years, although the difficulty of entering and anchoring in Bali made it a less popular destination.

By AD 1600, the Dutch East Indies Company had been set up in Java. Bali was declared as “New Holland” by a Dutch Admiral, who was warmly welcomed by the King at the time, Watu Renggong. With the death of this king, though, the seat of power in Klungkung diminished in importance and independent rule was established by local rajas.

At around the same time, the Majapahit empire in Java disintegrated completely, and there was a sudden influx of Hindu refugees into Bali .

Intellectuals and artists, priests and princess, soldiers and artisans arrived in Bali with their precious books and records. Bali flourished with the sudden of creative ideas and skills, and the culture developed significantly. By the beginning of the 19 th century, Bali was still an isolated island relatively unaffected by the west, with its unique ever evolving culture still intact.

The British East India Company introducedsome opportunities for self-government to Bali in early 1800s, after Holland ‘s influence decreased as a result of the Napoleonic wars. When the Dutch returned to Indonesia and tried to gain sovereignty of Bali in the early 1840s, trouble flared. After sixty years, a mass suicide of Balinese families finally ended what had developed into an ongoing dispute. Rather than giving in the Dutch, ceremonial knives were used by the rajas and their families to end their misery and make a proud statement. Holland relented, and Bali survived the immediate threat of European influence.

The quiet period from the early to mid 1900s brought a different type of western influence, though, with as sudden influx of tourists. During if this period, foreigners were already being drawn to the exotic beauty of the island and its people. Cruise ships made Bali a regular stopover, and more and more people became intrigued by this endearing paradise. Many visitors also chose to settle on the island at this time, including the famous German painter Walter Spies.

Two major incidents interrupted this peaceful period. Firstly, the Japanese invaded and occupied the island, although again authentic Balinese culture survived. Secondly, when the Dutch tried once more to exert their influence after war, Indonesia ‘s President Sukarno declared independence in 1945. It took a further four years before the Dutch finally accepted the authority of the new government, and even after that Indonesia remained unsettled. Bali also suffered for individual disasters, a plague, a period of chronic food shortage, and a volcanic eruption.

Bali only opened to tourists again in the late 1960s, when the new President recognized the value of the island as a tourist destination.

Since then it has been heavily promoted for its tourist value, and has also quite naturally acted as a magnet to the many types of tourists who enjoy Bali . Artists, surfers, and backpackers; divers, shoppers, and adventurers; a whole range of visitors now appreciate the many facets of the Balinese environment and culture.

Even on the brink of the 21 st century, Bali is proving that the unique spiritual forces which have shaped the island will continue to act as major determining influences well into the future. Every time a small canang offering, laden with incense and colored flowers is laid on the ground; every time a chisel strikes soft wood and carves out the features on a mythological creature; every time a young baby touches the ground for the first time or ashes are offered to the seas; evidence of Bali’s living traditions are being manifested, acting as constant reminders of her passion for an authentic existence.

If we, as visitors to Bali , can share but a small taste of this passion, our own lives will be enriched. And if we can also give something in return, in the way of respecting this people and their culture and supporting them as they find their way into the future, the benefits will be mutual. Let’s make the most of our time in Bali , let’s appreciate and enjoy.