Ritual in Bali

"Bali is a fertile place," I was told upon arriving at the Indonesian island. Although these words were issued as a warming to cover up any cuts and thus avoid the risk of infection, they struck a deeper chord in me.
The land breathes fertility. The atmosphere is infused with the dazzling green vitality of terraced rice fields, the richness of ritual, the omnipresence of children, and a deep and fruitful integration of the sacred, the daily, and the aesthetic. And it was there, in Bali, that I discovered my own fecundity. Two days after giving the customary offerings for fertility far within the womb of Goa Gaja (Elephant Cave), I found out I was pregnant.
Although both my partner and everything familiar were on the opposite side of the earth, I could not have made this discovery in a better place. Pregnancy in Bali is considered a great blessing. Children are revered as celestial beings recently descended from the realm of the gods and goddesses. The word for great-grandchild is in fact the same as the word for great-grandparent, and refers to being close to heaven. To preserve their divine nature, Balinese children under the age of six months are not allowed to touch the earth. And when they do for the first time, the event is heralded with ceremony.

Life Is Greeted with Ceremony

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Cultural tourism

Indonesia consists of at least 300 ethnic groups, spread over a 1.8 million km² area of 6,000 inhabited islands.[1] This creates a cultural diversity, further compounded by Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic and European colonialist influences. From the 3rd century until the 13th century, Hinduism and Buddhism shaped the culture of Indonesia. The best-preserved Buddhist shrine, which was built during the Sailendra dynasty in the 8th century, is Borobudur temple in Central Java. A few kilometers to the southeast is the Prambanan complex, a Hindu temple built during the second Mataram dynasty. Both the Borobudur and the Prambanan temple compounds have been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1991. In Bali, where most Hindus live, cultural festivals are major attractions to foreign tourists.
Islam has also contributed greatly to the cultural society in Indonesia. As of 2006, about 88% of Indonesians are Moslem.[20] Islamic culture is prominent in Sumatra, and a few of the remaining sultanate palaces can be seen in Medan and Pekanbaru.
Despite foreign influences, a diverse array of indigenous traditional cultures is still evident in Indonesia. The indigenous ethnic group of Toraja in South Sulawesi, which still has strong animistic beliefs, offers a unique cultural tradition, especially during funeral rituals. The Minangkabau ethic group retain a unique matrilineal culture, despite being devoted Muslims. Other indigenous ethnic groups include the Asmat and Dani in Papua, Dayak in Kalimantan and Mentawai in Sumatra, where traditional rituals are still observed.
A discussion of cultural tourism is not complete without a mention of Yogyakarta, a special province in Indonesia known as a centre of classical Javanese fine art and culture.[21] The rise and fall of Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic kingdoms in Central Java has transformed Yogyakarta into a melting pot of Indonesian culture.

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Culture of Indonesia

Indonesian culture has been shaped by a long process of interaction and acculturation between original indigenous customs and a myriad of foreign influences. Indonesia is located centrally amidst ancient naval trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East This location has resulted in many daily practices and forms of art being strongly influenced by a myriad of religions. These include Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Islam, strongly present in the major trading cities. There is a large, complex cultural mixture in Indonesia, heavily distinguished from the original. Examples include Agama Hindu Dharma, a denomination of Hinduism now practiced by 93% of Balinese, the fusion of Islam with Hindu in Javanese Abangan belief, the fusion of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism in Bodha, the fusion of Hinduism and animism in Kaharingan, and many others.

Indonesian art-forms most noticably express this cultural mix. Wayang, traditional theater-performed puppet shows, were used to spread Hinduism and Islam amongst Javan villagers. Both Javanese and Balinese dances have stories about ancient Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms. Islamic art forms and architectures are present in Sumatra, especially in the Minangkabau and Aceh regions. Traditional art, music and sport are mixed into a martial art form of Pencak Silat, formerly used as a self defence.

Western culture has influenced Indonesia, but mostly in modern entertainment, such as television shows, movies and songs. India has notably influenced Indonesian songs and movies. A popular type of song is the Indian-rhythmical dangdut, which is often mixed with Arab and Malay folk music.

Despite these high influences of foreign cultures, some remote Indonesian regions still preserve uniquely indigenous culture. Indigenous ethnic groups of Mentawai, Asmat, Dani, Dayak, Toraja and many others are still practising their ethnic rituals, customs and wearing their traditional clothes. With more than 300 ethnic groups and a long history of foreign cultural mixtures, Indonesia has a rich cultural diversity.

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Culture Briefs

Historic tide
"I was brought up in Republican circumstances, firmly grounded in convention. I was swept out to Marxist sea by a flood of sex. I was trying to impress cute beatnik girls. Then, one day, I found myself washed up on the shore of jobs and responsibilities, and I was Republican again. ... As both a radical and a reactionary I was moved by the forces of history and institutions. All those beatnik girls had a history. And many of them wound up institutionalized. ...
"I have ex-leftist friends who recall long, intense, fractious political arguments from their university years. But I was at Miami of Ohio, not Berkeley or Columbia. My college friends and I may have begun such discussions, but then the rolling papers were brought out and the debate became over where to get Mallomars."
-- P.J. O'Rourke, from the new book, "Why I Turned Right: Leading Baby Boom Conservatives Chronicle Their Political Journeys," edited by Mary Eberstadt

'Lust in Space'
"There is probably some high moral reason that I shouldn't feel sorry for astronaut Lisa Nowak, who is now charged with attempted murder and kidnapping, but I just can't help it.
"And lots of people I know are also riveted by this tale, straight out of 'Desperate Housewives,' filled with so many kooky soap-opera touches. ...
"Sure, I know that in the great scheme of things, 'Lust in Space,' as the New York Post's headline shrieked, is not very important -- but it is oh-so-interesting. The shrewd media know this, albeit there will still be some pious whining about what a fuss is being made. ...
"In a recent 'Right Stuff' interview for Ladies' Home Journal, Lisa, who describes herself as 'competitive, determined, ambitious,' talks about trying six times to get into test pilot school. ...
"Remember St. Teresa's wise admonition that more tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered.
"Lisa finally went up in space last summer after waiting almost 10 years for the chance. ... Although NASA said her performance had been 'excellent,' it was likely she would never go up again. After waiting and working all those years, could there be a greater downer? ...

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Asian Culture Council

The Asian Cultural Council is a foundation supporting cultural exchange in the visual and performing arts between the United States and Asia.

Fellowships to individuals constitute the central feature of the ACC's grant program, the emphasis being on awards to artists, scholars and specialists from Asia for research, study and creative work in the United States. Some grants are also made to Americans pursuing similar activities in Asia and to educational and cultural institutions engaged in projects of special significance to Asian-American exchange.

In addition, the Asian Cultural Council awards a small number of grants in support of regional exchange activities within Asia.

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France Culture

France is just a beautiful country to explore and offers so many areas of interest. A favorite are the Loire Chateaux, a collection of beautiful castles that dot the Loire Valley. One of the most famous areas is of course the Cote d'Azur, also known as the French Riviera that stretches from St. Tropez to Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo and Menton.

The coastal highways on the French Riviera have been featured in many movies and offer panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the mountains. The Provence is the hinterland of the Riviera and over the years has inspired many artists including Van Gogh and Cézanne.

Normandy of course is one of the primary historic sites of World War II and is an important destination for history buffs. Wine-growing regions such as Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne have their own charms. French cuisine has inspired discerning gourmets for centuries. The French High Alps offer beautiful vistas and excellent skiing in the winter. France is a very diverse tourist destination that will offer something for every taste.

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