The glossy guide book image of Bali is of a timeless paradise whose people are devoutly religious and artistically gifted. However, a hundred years of colonialism, war and Indonesian independence, and tourism have produced both modernizing changes and created an image of Bali as ‘traditional’. Incorporating up-to-date ethnographic field work the book investigates the myriad of ways in which the Balinese has responded to the influx of outside influence. The book focuses on the fascinating interrelationship between tourism, economy, culture and religion in Bali, painting a twenty-first century picture of the Balinese. In documenting these diverse changes Howe critically assesses some of the work of Bali’s most famous ethnographer, Clifford Geertz and demonstrates the importance of a historically grounded and broadly contextualized approach to the analysis of a complex society.
Author(s): Leo Howe
Edition: 1st Ed.
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 176
Book Cover......Page 1
Half-Title......Page 2
Series Title......Page 3
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Contents......Page 6
Illustrations......Page 8
Acknowledgements......Page 10
1 Introduction The Kuta bomb and Balinese culture......Page 12
2 Colonialism, caste and the beginnings of tourism......Page 29
3 Balinese character assassination?......Page 49
4 The efficacy of ritual action and the transformation of religion......Page 67
5 New religions of Bali Agama Hindu and Sri Sathya Sai Bab......Page 102
6 Controversies about Balinese hierarchy......Page 122
7 Tourism, culture and identity......Page 142
References......Page 158
Index......Page 168
