The culture of Bali

Bali is famous for many forms of art, including painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts and performing arts.

Villages on the way from Denpasar to Ubud, the artistic center of Bali, are uniquely known for their specific art and crafts, such as wood and stone carving, batik production, silver and painting.

Balinese gamelan music is highly developed and varied and their traditional dances portray stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Famous Balinese dance types include pendet, legong, baris, topeng, barongandkecak (the monkey dance).

The majority of Bali’s population adheres to Balinese Hinduism and they observe a great number of ceremonies and celebrations throughout the year. The Hindu new year, Nyepi, is celebrated in the spring by a day of silence. The day before Nyepi is marked by evening celebrations where large, colorful sculptures of ogoh-ogoh monsters are paraded and finally burned to drive away evil spirits. On Nyepi day, everyone stays at home and tourists are encouraged to remain in their hotels. NgurahRai, the International Airport in Bali even closes for Nyepi.