Bali is a province of Indonesia. The capital of this province is Denpasar. Bali is also one of the islands of Nusa Tenggara Island. At the beginning of Indonesian independence, the island was included in the Lesser Sunda Province of the city of Singaraja, and is now divided into three provinces: Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara.
Besides consisting of the island of Bali, the province of Bali also consists of smaller islands in the vicinity, namely Nusa Penida Island, Nusa Lembongan Island, Nusa Ceningan Island, Serangan Island, and Menjangan Island.
Geographically, Bali is located between Java Island and Lombok Island. The majority of Bali's population are Hindus. In the world, Bali is well known as a tourism destination with its unique art-culture variety, especially for Japanese and Australian tourists. Bali is also known by the nickname of the Island of the Gods and Pulau Seribu Pura
GEOGRAFISThe island of Bali is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands along the 153 km and 112 km wide about 3.2 km from the island of Java. Geographically, Bali is located at 8 ° 25'23 "South Latitude and 115 ° 14'55" East Longitude which makes it tropical like other parts of Indonesia.
Gunung Agung is the highest point in Bali as high as 3,148 m. This volcano last erupted in March 1963. Mount Batur is also one of the mountains in Bali. About 30,000 years ago, Mount Batur erupted and produced a terrible catastrophe on earth. In contrast to the northern part, the southern part of Bali is a lowland flowing by rivers.
Based on the relief and topography, in the middle of the island of Bali spans mountains that extend from west to east and among the mountains there are a cluster of volcanoes namely Mount Batur and Mount Agung and volcanoes, namely Mount Merbuk, Mount Patas and Mount Seraya. The existence of these mountains cause the area of Bali Geographically divided into 2 (two) parts that are not the same is North Bali with a narrow and less sloping lowland and South Bali with a wide and sloping lowland. The slope of Bali Island consists of flat land (0-2%) covering 122,652 ha, bumpy land (2-15%) of 118,339 ha, steep land (15-40%) of 190,486 ha and very steep (> 40% covering an area of 132,189 ha. Bali Province has 4 (four) lakes located in the mountains, namely Lake Beratan or Bedugul, Buyan, Tamblingan, and Batur. Bali's beautiful nature makes the island of Bali famous as a tourist area.
The capital of Bali is Denpasar. Other important places are Ubud as a center of art and rest, located in Gianyar Regency. Nusa Lembongan is one of the diving sites located in Klungkung Regency. While Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua are some places that become the main destination of tourism, both beach tourism and resort, spa, and others, located in Badung regency.
The total area of Bali Province is 5,636.66 km2 or 0.29% of the territory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Administratively Bali Province is divided into 8 districts, 1 municipality, 55 sub-districts, and 701 villages / kelurahan.
HISTORY
Japan occupied Bali during World War II and at that time a military officer named I Gusti Ngurah Rai formed the Bali forces 'freedom fighters'. Following the surrender of Japan in the Pacific in August 1945, the Dutch immediately returned to Indonesia (including Bali) to re-establish their colonial rule as it was before the war. This was opposed by Balinese resistance troops who were then using Japanese weapons.
On November 20, 1945, the battle broke out Puputan Margarana that occurred in the village of Marga, Tabanan regency, central Bali. 29-year-old Colonel I Gusti Ngurah Rai, led his troops from the eastern region of Bali to attack to death on a fully armed Dutch army. All members of the Bali battalion were killed all and made it as the last Bali military resistance.
In 1946 the Dutch made Bali one of the 13 newly proclaimed parts of the State of East Indonesia, one of the rival states of the Republic of Indonesia proclaimed and headed by Sukarno and Hatta. Bali was also incorporated into the United States of Indonesia when the Dutch recognized Indonesia's independence on 29 December 1949. In 1950, Bali formally renounced its union with the Netherlands and legally became a province of the Republic of Indonesia.
The eruption of Gunung Agung that occurred in 1963, had shook the people's economy and caused many of the population of Bali to transmigrate to various other regions in Indonesia.
DEMOGRAFI
The population of Bali is approximately 4 million people more, with the majority of 83.5% being Hindu. Other religions are Buddhism (0.54%), Islam (13.37%), Protestant Christianity (1.66%), Catholic 0.88%, Confucian 0.01% and 0.01% Trust Flow. Islam is the largest religious minority in Bali with the adherents now reaching 13.37% based on the latest census in January 2014.
Apart from the tourism sector, Balinese also live from agriculture and fisheries, the worlds best known of agriculture in Bali is the Subak system (Traditional irrigation system). Some also choose to be an artist. The language used in Bali is Indonesian, Bali and English especially for those who work in the tourism sector.
Balinese and Indonesian are the most widely used languages in Bali and as with other Indonesians, most Balinese are bilingual or even trilingual. Although there are several dialects in Balinese, Balinese generally use a form of Balinese language as an option in communicating. Traditionally, the use of various dialects of Balinese language is determined based on the color chess system in Hindu Dharma and clan membership (Balinese term: soroh, gotra); although the implementation of the tradition tends to decrease. In some places in Bali, a number of Java language users were found.
English is the third language (and the main foreign language) for many Balinese people who are influenced by the great need of the tourism industry. Employees who work at tourist information centers in Bali, often also understand some foreign languages with sufficient competence. Japanese is also a priority education in Bali.
ECONOMY
Three decades ago, the Balinese economy largely relied and based on agriculture both in terms of output and employment. Now, the tourism industry becomes the biggest income object for Bali. The result, Bali became one of the richest regions in Indonesia. In 2003, about 80% of Bali's economy relied on the tourism industry. At the end of June 2011, non-performing loans from all banks in Bali were 2.23%, lower than the average non-performing loan of the Indonesian banking industry (about 5%). The economy, however, suffered significantly as a result of the Bali Bombing 2002 and the 2005 Bali Bombing. The tourism industry itself has recovered from the consequences of this event.
TOURISM
Bali is a prima donna of Indonesian tourism that has been famous all over the world. Besides famous for its natural beauty, especially its beaches, Bali is also famous for its unique and interesting arts and culture. The tourism industry is centered in South Bali and in several other areas. The main tourist destinations are Kuta and its surrounding areas such as Legian and Seminyak, eastern cities such as Sanur, downtown such as Ubud, and in the south such as Jimbaran, Nusa Dua and Pecatu. Bali as a complete and integrated tourist destination has many interesting tourist attractions, including: Kuta Beach, Tanah Lot Temple, Padang Beach - Padang, Beratan Bedugul Lake, Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK), Lovina Beach with Lumbanya Dolphin, Pura Besakih , Uluwatu, Ubud, Munduk, Kintamani, Amed, Tulamben, Menjangan Island and many others. Nowadays, Bali also has some educational centers that are full of education for children such as zoos, three-dimensional museums, water playgrounds, and turtle breeding grounds.
TRANSPORTATION
Bali does not have a rail network but the road network on this island is very good compared to other areas in Indonesia, the road network is well available especially to the tourist destinations of Legian, Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Ubud, etc. Most residents have private vehicles and choose to use them because public transport modes are not available well, except for taxis and tourism transport. Mass transportation mode is currently being prepared so that Bali can give more comfort to the tourists. Recently to serve the needs of a decent mass transit on the island of Bali launched Trans Sarbagita (Trans Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan) Using a large Bus with air conditioning facilities.
Bali is connected to Java island with ferry service that connects Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana district with Ketapang Harbor in Banyuwangi Regency which takes 30 to 45 minutes. Crossing to Lombok Island via Padangbai Port to Sheet Port which takes about four to five hours depending on the weather.
Air transportation is served by Ngurah Rai International Airport with destinations to major cities in Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Timor Leste, China and Japan. Runways and airplanes that come and go can be seen clearly from the beach and become a kind of additional entertainment for the tourists who enjoy the beaches of Bali.
For inter-island land transportation in Bali there is Ubung-Denpasar terminal and Mengwi terminal connecting Bali island with Java Island and Lombok Island. Ubung Terminal on the island of Bali serves a variety of inter-island routes destinations Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Malang, Madura, Jember, etc. The inter-island transport is served by a large bus fleet with economy, business and executive classes. Ubung Terminal is relatively crowded starting at 15:00 pm-18:00 pm because at that hour many buses started to go to the city.
MUSIC
Traditional Balinese music has similarities with traditional music in many other areas of Indonesia, for example in the use of gamelan and various other percussion instruments. However, there are peculiarities in the techniques of play and composition, for example in the form of kecak, a form of singing supposedly mimic the sound of apes. Similarly, various gamelan that is played also has a uniqueness, for example jegog gamelan, gamelan gong gede, gambang gambang, gamelan selunding and gamelan Semar Pegulingan. There is also Angklung music played for Ngaben ceremony as well as Bebonangan music played in various other ceremonies.
There is a modern form of Balinese traditional music, such as Gamelan Gong Kebyar which is a dance music developed during the Dutch colonial era and Joged Bumbung which became popular in Bali since the 1950s era. Generally Balinese music is a combination of various metal percussion instruments (metalofon), gongs and wood percussion (xylophone). Due to the social, political and cultural relationships, traditional Balinese music or Balinese gamelan games influence or influence each other's cultural areas, such as traditional music of Banyuwangi and traditional music of Lombok society.
DANCE
Balinese dance art in general can be categorized into three groups:
1. Wali / dance performances sacred (Sang Hyang Dedari, Sang Hyang Jaran, Tari Rejang and Baris )
2. Bebali / dance performances for ceremonies and also for visitors (Tari topeng and Gambuh)
3. Balih-balihan / dance art for visitor entertainment. ( Tari Legong, Arja, Joged Bumbung, Drama Gong, Barong, Tari Pendet, Tari Kecak, Calon Arang, Tari Janger)
Balinese dance artist I Made Bandem in the early 1980s had classified these Balinese dances; such as Gambuh, Topeng Pajegan and Wayang Wong, while the others are Legong, Parwa, Arja, Prembon and Joged as well as various choreography other modern dance.
One of the most popular dances for tourists is Kecak Dance and Pendet Dance. Around the 1930s, Wayan Limbak worked with German painter Walter Spies to create a Kecak dance based on Sang Hyang tradition and parts of the Ramayana story. Wayan Limbak popularized this dance while traveling around the world with her Balinese dance troupe.
TRADITIONAL CLOTHES
Balinese apparel is very varied, although at a glance it looks the same. Each region in Bali has a symbolic and ornament characteristic, based on activities / ceremonies, gender and age of its users. Social and economic status of a person can be known based on the style of clothing and jewelry ornaments he wore.
Men's traditional clothing generally consists of: Udeng (headband), Kampuh cloth, Umpal (binder shawl), Wastra cloth (kemben), Belt Keris, and a variety of jewelry ornaments, often also worn shirts, suits and footwear as a complement.
Women's traditional clothing generally consists of: Gelung (bun), Sesenteng (kemben songket),Wastra cloth, Prada belt (stagen), wrapped around hips and chest, Scarves songket shoulders down, Tapih or sinjang fabric, inside, and a variety of jewelry ornaments, often also worn kebaya, chest coverings, and footwear as a complement.
FOOD
Ayam betutu, Babi guling, Be Kokak Mekuah, Be Pasih mesambel matah, Bebek betutu, Berengkes Grangasem, Jejeruk, Jukut Urab, Komoh, Lawar, Nasi Bubuh, Nasi Tepeng, Penyon, Sate Kablet, Sate Babi Guling, Sate Pusut, Sate Lilit, Sate pentul, Sate penyu, Sate Tusuk, Timbungan, Jukut Ares, Tum, Urutan Tabanan, Pesan Be Pasih.
SNACKS
Bubuh Sagu, Bubuh Sumsum, Bubuh Tuak, Jaja Batun Duren, Jaja Begina, Jaja Bendu, Jaja Bikang, Jaja Engol, Jaja Lukis, Jaja Godoh, Jaja Jongkong, Jaja Ketimus, Jaja Klepon, Jaja Lak-Lak, Jaja Sumping, Jaja Tain Buati, Jaja Uli misi Tape, Jaja Giling, Jaja Wajik, Rujak Bulung, Rujak Kuah Pindang, Rujak Manis, Rujak Tibah, Salak Bali, Jaja Abug, Jaja Lempog, Jaja Baro-Baro
TRADITIONAL HOME
Rumah Bali in accordance with the rules Kosa Kosala Asta (part of the Vedas that set the layout of the room and building, like Feng Shui in Chinese Culture)
According to Balinese philosophy, dynamism in life will be achieved if the realization of a harmonious relationship between aspects of pawongan, palemahan and parahyangan. For that the construction of a house must include these aspects or the so-called Tri Hita Karana. Pawongan is the residents of the house. Palemahan means there must be a good relationship between the inhabitants of the house and the environment.
In general, traditional Balinese architecture or buildings are always filled with ornaments, in the form of carvings, equipment and color giving. The ornamental variety contains a certain meaning as an expression of the beauty of symbols and communications. The ornamental forms of the fauna species also serve as ritual symbols displayed in the statue.