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From: Indonesia Matters News Feed
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Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 7:01 AM
Subject: Indonesia Matters
Indonesia Matters
Bali Culture
Posted: 23 Oct 2008 06:01 AM PDT
Questions about Balinese culture from Rayner.
I am a frequent visitor to Bali. Try to understand the local customs,
religious ceremonies, not to upset unwittingly or otherwise, and also a
frequent bather!
Something puzzles me. I quite understand why your government does not
repair the sidewalks and roads. Obviously not a priority. But as I walk the
sidewalks dodging the holes etc., sometimes not being able to look clearly into
the windows because of the dangers I still see many Balinese sitting on the
sidewalks with nothing to do.
Why don’t the shopkeepers get a few bags of cement, some sand and just
repair the holes for the sake of their own comfort and to reduce the wear and
tear on their vehicles?
When we hit that same pothole for several years running I got a little
fed up and asked my Balinese companion if he knew where I could buy some cement
and sand to repair the holes myself. Would he help me to repair some of the
holes along the route which he usually takes?
As the Balinese that I usually meet are kind and solicitous of my
welfare I thought that the sight of an old fart of 78 repairing these holes
might inspire them to do a little repair work themselves. His response was
quite startling. Oh no, you can’t do that was his response. Why not? I was
unable to get any reply that made sense. He is usually very interesting source
of information about his culture and I have learned a great deal about Bali
from him. But on this he would not give me any cogent reason at all.
Can any poster on this list give me an answer?
Rayner
I really enjoy my visits to Bali. Your young men are polite and well
behaved. You are one of the most hospitable cultures that I have ever spent
time in apart from the Pacific Islands such as Hawaii. You are kind and apart
from 7 or 8 years onwards when you seem to require children to conform and do
as they are told, your love and caring for your children is an example to the
rest of the developed world. We in Britain have much to learn from you
regarding caring for children and helping them to grow into responsible adults.
I have two daughters who are happa-haoli. That is mixed race. Happi in
Hawaiian is half, haoli means a man or woman without soul. Usually Caucasian.
Hawaiians still resent having their country being taken from them by the
Americans and having their culture suppressed and almost destroyed. Quite
understandably. Any person who would ban their language, and their dance, take
their land without permission, to a Hawaiian that is a person without a soul.
So my daughters are not fully welcome in Hawaii the place of their
birth. They are not fully welcome in America either. Because I had married
their mother a part Hawaiian and part Japanese I was guilty of miscegenation,
(Marrying or consorting with a race of a different colour to you.) Neither
would they be in Britain. When economics get really tight racism emerges in
Britain and any one with an Asian face is under threat. Might never happen of
course but it is a threat that will make them uncomfortable. At the moment they
reside in San Francisco where there is a large population of mixed race people.
My eldest daughter soon goes to a college near Rhode Island which does give me
concern. Racism with the always present threat of the KKK is a constant concern.
So a question. Would they be welcome and be able to live peacefully in
Bali? They were homeschooled for the first 14 years of their lives so are
polite, well behaved, and would be able and willing to contribute to whatever
culture that they reside in. They would also be willing and able to learn the
language of their host country.
Now I know in the past there have been problems with the Chinese and
there are mass graves all over Indonesia to remind one. I sense that as your
economics get more restrictive as they are round the world, tensions will again
build up between the Chinese and Indonesians. I sincerely hope that they don’t
but I am a realist and history does tend to repeat itself. Will my daughters
with their Asian looks also be under threat if trouble erupts again?
Rayner.
This is a post from the Indonesia Matters website.
Tags: Bali, Balinese, Balinese Culture, Children, Culture, Cultures,
Customs, Indonesians, Racism, Roads
Indomie & Indofood Videos & Commercials
Posted: 22 Oct 2008 09:28 PM PDT
Indomie television commercials and homemade videos, marketing and
loving Indonesian instant noodles.
Diversity Ad
Not a jilbab in sight.
Religious Ad
Fast breaking with instant noodles.
Ethiopian Ad
Indomie for Africa.
Gita Gutawa
The pretty girl in white dress one.
Diva Ad
Krisdayanti, Titi DJ and Ute/Ruth.
Happy Families Ad
1993 nostalgia.
Non-commercials.
Koteka Indomie
Papuans love it too.
Not Nigerian
A British Indonesian fumes against Tesco.
Tags: Food, Girl, Gita Gutawa, Jilbab, Papua, Pretty, Television, Videos
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