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Balinese

Balinese woman bring offering to the temple.
Total population
3.0 million (2000 census)
Regions with significant populations
Bali (Indonesia): 2.8 million
Languages
Balinese, Sasak, Indonesian
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Javanese, Sasak, Tenggerese

The Balinese population of 3.0 million (1.5% of Indonesia's population) live mostly on the island of Bali, making up 89% of the island's population. There are also significant populations on the island of Lombok, and in the eastern-most regions of Java (eg. the Municipality of Banyuwangi).

[edit] Origins

Balinese Legong dancer

The origins of the Balinese came from three periods: The first waves of immigrants came from Java and Kalimantan in the prehistoric times of the proto-Malay stock; the second wave of Balinese came slowly over the years from Java during the Hindu period; the third and final period came from Java, between the 15th and 16th centuries, at the time of the conversion of Islam in Java, aristocrats fled to Bali from the Javanese Majapahit Empire to escape Islamic conversion, reshaping the Balinese culture into a syncretic form of classical Javanese culture with many Balinese elements. The Balinese people generally got a large proportion of their ancestry from there.

[edit] Culture

Kecak Dance

Balinese culture is perhaps most known for dance, drama and sculpture. The culture is noted for its use of the gamelan in music. The island is also known for its form of Wayang kulit or Shadow play/Shadow Puppet theatre. It also has several unique aspects related to their religions and traditions. Balinese culture is a mix of Balinese Hindu religion and Balinese custom.

[edit] Religion

The vast majority of the Balinese follow one religion — A Shaivite sect of Hinduism that is mixed with pre-Hindu mythologies. The Balinese from before the third wave of immigration, known as the Bali Aga, are mostly not followers of the Balinese Shivaite Hinduism, but their own animist traditions.

[edit] Festivals

The Balinese women preparing for religious festival.

• Kite festival
• Galungan
• Nyepi
• Saraswati
• Pager wesi
• Carnival
• Ngaben (Cremation Ceremony)
• and some Traditional ceremony