Bali is renowned worldwide for its vibrant arts and crafts, from intricate wood carvings and stone sculptures to traditional textiles and silver jewelry. These art forms are deeply connected to the island's natural resources. For example, Balinese artists often use bamboo, palm leaves, and natural dyes derived from plants to create their works. The famous Balinese ikat textiles rely on locally grown cotton and natural dyes made from plants like indigo and mango leaves.
However, the availability of these natural materials is threatened by deforestation, pollution, and overharvesting. A report from the World Resources Institute highlights that Bali has lost over 30% of its forest cover in the last few decades, impacting the availability of materials used by local artisans. By protecting these natural resources, Green Roots Bali helps ensure that local artists have access to the materials they need to continue their crafts. This not only preserves Bali's cultural heritage but also supports the livelihoods of thousands of artisans across the island, whose work is an essential part of Bali’s identity and economy.
Among Bali's most cherished traditions are its music and dance, especially the mesmerizing sounds of the gamelan orchestra and the dynamic movements of traditional Balinese dance. These art forms are more than entertainment; they are expressions of the island’s spiritual and cultural life, deeply woven into the fabric of everyday Balinese existence.
The gamelan, a traditional ensemble of percussive instruments such as metallophones, drums, and gongs, is central to Bali's cultural expression. Its rhythms and melodies are believed to reflect the rhythms of the cosmos, creating a bridge between the earthly and the divine. Every village in Bali has a gamelan orchestra, and its music accompanies all major ceremonies, from temple rituals and life cycle celebrations to theatrical performances.
Balinese dance, with its expressive movements, intricate finger gestures, and vibrant costumes, is similarly profound. Dances like the Legong, Barong, and Kecak are not just performances but ritual offerings to the gods, meant to maintain cosmic balance and harmony. The dances tell stories from Hindu epics, express prayers, and evoke the natural and spiritual worlds.
For my family, this is deeply personal. My grandfather, Nyoman Wenten, and grandmother, Nanik Wenten, have been pivotal in spreading the beauty of Balinese music and dance globally, dedicating their lives to sharing these traditions beyond Bali's shores. Through their teaching and performances worldwide, they have inspired countless others to appreciate and participate in these traditions. My mother, Weny, has danced all her life, continuing the legacy, and embodies the spirit and passion of Balinese culture.
Balinese music and dance are not just cultural artifacts; they are living traditions that require nurturing and active engagement to thrive. However, as tourism and modernization continue to reshape Bali, these arts face existential challenges. The pressures of commercialization, the decline in traditional training, and the loss of performance spaces are gradually eroding the foundations of these practices.
Yet, the significance of these arts goes beyond their cultural heritage. According to a 2019 study by the Bali Tourism Board, cultural tourism, including traditional music and dance performances, accounts for 65% of all tourist activities on the island. Thus, preserving these traditions is also vital to Bali's economy and the livelihoods of thousands of artists who depend on them.
Culturally, these arts are essential for transmitting knowledge, values, and identity from one generation to the next. Spiritually, they are a means of maintaining harmony with the divine, a concept central to Balinese life. As the late Nyoman Kakul, a revered Balinese dancer, once said, "Through dance, we connect with the gods, the ancestors, and the universe itself."
Let us celebrate, protect, and perpetuate these traditions, honoring the legacy of artists like my grandparents, Nyoman and Nanik Wenten, who have shown us that these arts are not merely performances—they are the soul of Bali, a vibrant heartbeat that continues to resonate across the world.
