Posted by pr on April 18, 1997 at 06:03:30:
In Reply to: tourism and modernisation in Bali posted by Bridget McPherson on April 09, 1997 at 21:27:06:
Bali’s society and culture are in constant change.
The main reasons are today trade and economy (including
tourism), communications (including television),
influences from other islands and the government
in Jakarta.
Tourism is not new to Bali: already in 1916 you could
buy a 5-day package tour to Bali and Lombok from
Batavia (Jakarta). The Bali Hotel in Denpasar was
opened in 1925, The Kuta Beach Hotel in 1935.
The islands attractions were internationally promoted
with brochures. The romantic image of an exotic paradise
full of bare breasted women was created by many books,
magazines (incl. National Geographic) and films already
early in this century.
Therefore it is not surprising that Bali was a popular
and fashionable tourist destination already in the 1920’s
and 1930’s, although then mostly for the rich and famous
such as Charly Chaplin, Noel Coward, Barabara Hutton,
H.G. Wells, and Vicky Baum who wrote “A Tale from Bali”.
It was also during that time that foreign artists such
as the German Walter Spiess and the Dutch painter Rudolf
Bonnet made Bali their home. Spiess created the Kecak
Dance in its present form for a movie shot at the time
in Bali, and he was one of the most important catalysts
building Bali’s international image. Balinese artists
were also strongly influenced by the ideas and techniques
of both painters -- helped by new tools and colours
introduced by them.
In spite of that, Balinese art has still its unique
character and has not become “international” as in many
other parts of the world. And society and culture, in
spite of many changes, are still very “Balinese”.
Today, there are schools even in villages, several
hospitals and a university on the island, electricity
is available nearly everywhere, and most people live
in houses with floors and walls made from bricks
instead of thatched huts with dirt floors.
Even people who used to be very poor can make a
comfortable living today. Shops and restaurants are
frequented by ever changing tourists. Artists and
craftsmen produce for the local market and for
export. Hotels, factories, building contractors,
even farmers often have to look for staff and workers
in Java, Lombok and other islands.
Although the influx of people from other parts of
Indonesia in increasing the proportion of Muslims
in Bali, the Balinese people continue their tradi-
tions. Spiritual and religious believes and customs
remain the same, and most people have not become
crazy because of their sudden wealth.
You can still find kitchen helpers or hotel boys
who are very aware that some land they own is worth
perhaps millions of Dollars. However, they would
not consider selling it as they believe that the
Gods have given them the land to administer and to
take care of it, not to sell it for money.