Balinese Theatrical Wayang Kulit Performance

Wayang Kulit or known as Shadow Puppet is a famous theatrical expression in Bali. Kulit means skin or leather. In a Wayang Kulit performance, shadow images are projected in a white screen with a coconut oil lamp or electrical lamp as its source of light. The stories are usually about Hindu epics such as Ramayana and Mahabrata. But other stories from Indonesian history and myth are also performed.

The Wayang is manipulated by the puppeteer or shadow artist (Dalang) who tells the stories accompanied by Gamelan orchestra and sometimes some singing. The Gamelan players respond to the timing and direction of the Dalang. Most characters in the performance speak in language of Kawi or ancient Javanese. Indonesian audiences may not understand the language, for that, there is a translator who impart the story to a well known language.

Wayang performance that are performed at night is considered as an entertainment performance. While performance that are performed in day light without coconut lamp is considered as a religious performance. Religious Wayang performance are usually performed in a Ngaben ceremony or cremation ceremony.

More Photos:

A Dalang performing a Wayang kulit performance
Some Wayang kulit characters

A Beautiful Butterfly Park in Bali

Taman kupu-kupu Bali or known as Bali Butterfly park is  one of Bali's attraction for tourists and visitors from all over the world. It is claimed as one of the largest butterfly park in Asia. The butterfly park is located in Wanasari, 7 kilometers in the north of Tabanan regency and 27 kilometers from Denpasar city. This park is spread over about 3500 square meters with ponds and various types plants to support the attractions. We can enjoy our day in this park with only Rp 50.000 enterance fee.

Bali Butterfly park is a good educational tour for families and visitors, it is effective for our knowledge about butterflies and natural ecosystem. Inside the park we can find hundreds of butterflies with 15 different species and we can learn about their protection and breeding process. We can get inspiring information about the life cycle of butterflies visitors are able to see the process of the butterfly's metamorphosis starting from egg, larvae, cocoon, caterpillars until they turn into beautiful butterflies. We can also learn how to conserve them.

Dried butterfly collection

The park also provides specimens of dried butterfly and insect collection which can also be souvenirs set in glass frames for the visitors. Beside butterflies, visitors also have opportunity to see colorful endemic species such as birdwing and Bali peacock. Some insects like stick insects, leaf insects, scorpions and spiders are also displayed in a glass box. Before leaving the park, there will be a souvenir shop where visitors can buy gifts.

More Photos:

The enterance of Bali Butterfly park	Visitors can interact with the butterflies
Some species of the butterflies	The statue of Bali Butterfly Park

Traditional Balinese Pendet Dance

Pendet Dance is one of the traditional dances in Bali, this dance is originally used to symbolize the reception on the descent of gods into the earth. Created by the dance artist I Nyoman Kaler in 1970. Over this developing period, now the Pendet dance is known as a welcoming or a greeting dance for the audiences and to invite spirits to enjoy the performance in temples and ceremonies, or social events. This dance is performed by 4 to 5 girls, dancers carry small silver bowl called Bokor full with flower petals. They spread the flowers in various times of the dance. Pendet dance may be performed anytime throughout the day and late into the night during the feasts that are held.

Different from other Balinese traditional dances, pendent dance doesn't require intensive practice. It could be danced by anyone from young to old people. This dance if commonly taught simply by the elder woman to younger woman or some young woman just follow the movements of the elders. Even though the dance is now known as a welcoming dance , it still contains sacred religious elements. Tourists that are interested to learn this dance may and learn and try this dance in dance classes all around Bali.

More Photos