About this website
This website is an introduction to traditional performing arts of the Muslim Balinese.
Bali—well-known for its cultural richness, especially as represented by its enticing dance and music traditions—has attracted many visitors from all over the world. It has often been called the “island of a thousand gods,” and in particular, the throne of Hindu gods, because more than 80 percent of the population is actually Hindu in the midst of Indonesia, which is home to the world’s largest Muslim population. However, almost all of our knowledge of Balinese culture has been about the culture of the Hindu Balinese, while the cultures and arts of other faiths, such as Islam, are lesser-known, in contrast to the widespread recognition of Hindu culture in Bali.
Many Bali enthusiasts, scholars, and even some Hindu Balinese have incorrectly assumed that the Muslims on the island are all outsiders or newcomers, only recently arrived from other islands in search of a living. However, there are also many Muslim kampung or communities, in Bali, with histories of hundreds of years, which have also developed a unique culture and distinct performing arts. Bali is truly a multi-cultural society, where people of different faiths, customs, and cultures have long co-existed.
While it is true that Muslims have been always a religious minority on the island, where they make up around only 10 percent of the population, they have also contributed to the Balinese society and culture at large. For example, many kampung were proud of their service as brave soldiers, protecting the borders of local kingdoms, as merchants, or as competent interpreters who spoke Malay and represented Bali to the outside world before colonialization.
Over the course of my research, I have met with many Muslims who were born and make their livings in Bali, who speak Balinese, recognize Bali as their roots and homeland, and who identify themselves as Balinese, while their cultural identities also span a wide and varied range, according to their background: some have dual identities, such as Sasak-Balinese or Java-Balinese according to their ancestors’ origins, while some prefer to think themselves simply as Balinese, or Muslim Balinese. Here, I broadly categorize such people as Muslim Balinese, and explore their performing arts.
The fact that the Muslim Balinese have maintained their unique culture and traditions as a religious minority in the midst of their Hindu neighbors is amazing. Their performing arts demonstrate their ancestral roots, the histories of their communities, their cultural identities, and their religiosity. Even more impressive is how their performing arts have contributed to creating cultural networks between them and others in and beyond Bali. Performances of music and dance have served as valuable opportunities to interact with neighbors and establish peaceful relationships with them, beyond differences of faith, while simultaneously participating in national and global Muslim cultural networks, reminding us that the performing arts have the potential to bridge peoples across their differences.
I hope that this website will be useful in opening a door to exploring the lesser-known performing arts of the Muslim Balinese and to understanding the richness of cultural diversity in Bali. Enjoy! (Ako MASHINO)
Bali—well-known for its cultural richness, especially as represented by its enticing dance and music traditions—has attracted many visitors from all over the world. It has often been called the “island of a thousand gods,” and in particular, the throne of Hindu gods, because more than 80 percent of the population is actually Hindu in the midst of Indonesia, which is home to the world’s largest Muslim population. However, almost all of our knowledge of Balinese culture has been about the culture of the Hindu Balinese, while the cultures and arts of other faiths, such as Islam, are lesser-known, in contrast to the widespread recognition of Hindu culture in Bali.
Many Bali enthusiasts, scholars, and even some Hindu Balinese have incorrectly assumed that the Muslims on the island are all outsiders or newcomers, only recently arrived from other islands in search of a living. However, there are also many Muslim kampung or communities, in Bali, with histories of hundreds of years, which have also developed a unique culture and distinct performing arts. Bali is truly a multi-cultural society, where people of different faiths, customs, and cultures have long co-existed.
While it is true that Muslims have been always a religious minority on the island, where they make up around only 10 percent of the population, they have also contributed to the Balinese society and culture at large. For example, many kampung were proud of their service as brave soldiers, protecting the borders of local kingdoms, as merchants, or as competent interpreters who spoke Malay and represented Bali to the outside world before colonialization.
Over the course of my research, I have met with many Muslims who were born and make their livings in Bali, who speak Balinese, recognize Bali as their roots and homeland, and who identify themselves as Balinese, while their cultural identities also span a wide and varied range, according to their background: some have dual identities, such as Sasak-Balinese or Java-Balinese according to their ancestors’ origins, while some prefer to think themselves simply as Balinese, or Muslim Balinese. Here, I broadly categorize such people as Muslim Balinese, and explore their performing arts.
The fact that the Muslim Balinese have maintained their unique culture and traditions as a religious minority in the midst of their Hindu neighbors is amazing. Their performing arts demonstrate their ancestral roots, the histories of their communities, their cultural identities, and their religiosity. Even more impressive is how their performing arts have contributed to creating cultural networks between them and others in and beyond Bali. Performances of music and dance have served as valuable opportunities to interact with neighbors and establish peaceful relationships with them, beyond differences of faith, while simultaneously participating in national and global Muslim cultural networks, reminding us that the performing arts have the potential to bridge peoples across their differences.
I hope that this website will be useful in opening a door to exploring the lesser-known performing arts of the Muslim Balinese and to understanding the richness of cultural diversity in Bali. Enjoy! (Ako MASHINO)
There is still a paucity of information, and our research is on-going. We hope to add new findings and improve the website. Suggestions and information from readers would be highly welcomed.
The use of any website texts or materials without permission is prohibited.
Text (Japanese and English) : Ako MASHINO
English editor : Wendell ISHII
Translation of Indonesian : Yoko NOMURA
Indonesian editor: Irsyad RIDHO
Pictures and Videos : Ako MASHINO + Shigeki SHIROSHIMA
Website producer : Shigeki SHIROSHIMA