Cultural Family Facts
A few family facts about Bali
The population is approximately 4.2 million and Bali is home to most of Indonesias Hindu population. The island is approximately 153 km wide and spans approximately 112 km north to south.
- There is more than 18,000 Island that make up Indonesia. Bali is just one these.
- Bali has many visitors every year, with more than 3.2 million tourists.
- The Balinese Language and Indonesian Language are different. You will commonly hear people speaking Indonesian.
- The Balinese usually have one of the following four names: Wayan, Made, Nyoman or Ketut. The names stand for first born, second born, third born and fourth born and it doesn’t matter if the child is a boy or a girl.
- Prior to turning three months old, Balinese babies are carried everywhere.
- Babies are not allowed to touch the ground or leave the family home until they’ve reached the three month mark.
- Nyepi, a Hindu celebration observed in Bali, sees the entire island fall silent, with businesses closing, the beach and streets shut and even the airport out of action completely. It happens once a year and signifies new beginning.
- The colourful leaf parcels you will see a lot in Bali are called Canang. They are offerings to the Gods. You can see them outside most shops, temples and homes. They are filled with flowers, lollies, rice and money as gifts to the Gods every day.
- While the Canang are fresh with incense burning, do not step on them or over them. This is disrespectful.
- Full moon and half moon are celebrated every month and on these days you will see more offerings. You will also notice the local people visiting the temple and wearing their colourful sarongs and kebayas.
- There are more than 20,000 Shrines (called Pura) in Bali, giving it the name “Island of The Gods”.
- Many Indonesian people eat with their hand, rather than use a knife and fork. They are very tidy and clean even without utensils. You must eat with your right hand only, and Balinese often sit on the floor to eat.
- The little road side restaurants are called “Warungs”.
- The school children go to school for half a day and they attend six days per week. Only Sunday is a day of rest.
- Bali has the highest density of spas in the world! You do not have to travel far to find an opportunity for a Balinese Massage.
