The welcome in Bali is characterized by locals who always have a smile. If you give them a smile, they will return it without hesitation. Balinese people are naturally curious; they often ask where you are going. Initially, this may seem a bit intrusive, but don't worry, it's their way of asking how you are doing! In fact, they don't really answer that question. Most responses boil down to "Makan Angin," which translates from Indonesian as "eating the wind," equivalent to " get some fresh air " for us. They will also ask where you come from ("Dari mana") and what your name is ("Namanya siapa").
Balinese people take pride in welcoming visitors from all over the world and sharing with them the wonders of their island. They are happy to guide you in whatever you wish to do.
This community is characterized by its gentleness and hospitality. They love to reveal to their guests the beauty of their culture and traditions through the daily practice of customs, rituals, and dances.
Balinese people are deeply religious; the dominant religion in Bali is Hinduism, which is why the island is called the Island of the Gods. It belongs to several gods and the spirits of the ancestors. In their belief, they have lent the earth in exchange for an agreement with humans to maintain balance on earth. To illustrate this idea, Balinese people envision the earth as a huge sphere resting on a gigantic tortoise named Bedawang. Two enormous protective serpents, the nāgas, coil around the tortoise's legs.
At the summit of Mount Agung, above the lands, reside the divinities and ancestors, while the inhabitants occupy the intermediate zone that has been loaned to them, where evil spirits can sometimes wreak havoc. In times of trouble, the tortoise, awakened, begins to move, triggering seismic tremors. To stop these disturbances as quickly as possible, they must make a great noise to awaken the two guardian serpents.
Locals must daily pay homage to the deities and appease the malevolent forces that roam. These rituals begin at the temple and are accompanied by a multitude of offerings.
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