The more I learn about Bali the more I'm surprised by the complexity of the island's history. The other evening at my favorite yoga studio I noticed a book being sold. I joked to michel that it was the most downer book ever written on Bali as it discussed human trafficking, slavery and opium addiction. Although this would be a bit of a glum read it is also fascinating to see the less light side of Bali.
Here is a brief history of the Island based on an article from the SGTrekkers website: Bali, the famed Island of the Gods, with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all provide a picturesque backdrop to the island's spiritual and unique culture.
Although the first Hindus arrived in Bali around 100BCE, the unique culture found on Bali today originally hailed from Java. This influence brought Javanese architecture, dance, painting, sculpting and various art forms, such as the Wayang puppet theatre to Bali.
The few Balinese who did not adopt the Javanese Hindu culture are known as the Bali Aga (original Balinese) and still live in the isolated villages of Tenganan near Candidasa and Trunyan on the remote eastern shore of Lake Batur.
Following the rise of Islam in Indonesian Bali became independent (around the turn of the 16th century) and the Javanese aristocracy took refuge in Bali, bringing an even stronger influx of Hindu arts, literature and religion.
Bali was divided among a number of ruling rajas, occasionally battling off invaders from now Islamic Java and making forays to conquer Lombok to the east. The north of Bali was captured by the Dutch colonialists in brutal wars from 1846 to 1849, with Southern Bali falling to colonial rule in 1906 and Eastern Bali surrendering in 1908. During these years, many Balinese warriors chose death over disgrace and fought en-masse until the bitter end, often walking straight into Dutch cannons and gunfire. This manner of suicidal fighting became known as puputan.
Colonial rule lasted until 1945 when Bali became part of the newly independent Republic of Indonesia under President Sukarno. In 1965 following a failed coup allegedly backed by the Communist Party (PKI), anti communist violence spread across Indonesia. During this time it is said that the rivers in Bali ran red from the reprisal killings of suspected communists (the death toll is estimated around 80,000).
In the seventies intrepid hippies and surfers discovered Bali’s beaches and waves and tourism became the islands main source of income. Despite the terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005, this magical island continues to draw crowds, and Bali’s culture remains as spectacular as ever. photos of Ubud rice fields and Tanah Lot via SGTrekkers.
