In the past, Balinese people bathed in the river as a communal and sociable activity. Traditionally, women avoided bathing in the same areas as men due to considerations of purity. Men were concerned that the presence of women could contaminate the water, so they bathed separately, followed by the children. Unfortunately, this practice contributed to water pollution, with waste such as shampoos and toxic dyes from sarong factories being discharged into the river, affecting marine life.
Perceptions of women's impurity are influenced by menstrual cycles, rooted in ancient Balinese beliefs concerning fertility and purification. Historically, Balinese women were often associated with domestic and familial roles, while men took on economic responsibilities and participated in formal religious practices, influencing notions of purity and piety between genders.
Before the rise of tourism in Bali, it was common for women to be topless. However, with the arrival of the first tourists in the 1930s and the country's independence in the 1950s, this practice gradually declined. This lifestyle was integral to Balinese culture, where partial nudity was viewed as natural and not indecent. Nevertheless, the increasing influence of Western clothing norms and social changes led to a shift towards more conservative dress styles in Bali, particularly under the impact of international tourism and cultural globalization.
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