party attire

Proud of his cultural heritage, Rudy Adnyana shares a powerful moment during the Barong dance, known as Ngurek. Male dancers recreate the part of the story where the soldiers stab themselves after the evil witch Rangda has put them under a spell. However Barong counters the spell by not allowing the men to be hurt by their keris (daggers). In this part of the dance, the men are in a trance, swaying back and forth, for it is believed spirits control their bodies so they do not get hurt during the performance. Women hold out smoldering chisels, believed to support the trance.

Working topless in the hot afternoon, the entire village comes together to harvest a rich crop of golden rice. Gusti Made Sujana shares the spirit of togetherness, or otong royong. All tasks become easier when shared by more than one, and this belief in reciprocated obligations is an integral part of daily life in Bali. This exquisite batik painting wall hanging depicts the famously beautiful rice paddies of Tegalalang in Ubud.

Golden rice ripen on terraced hillsides on Bali, known as the Island of the Gods. Neighbors chat as they work together at harvesting the abundant crop of rice. Gusti Made Sujana shares the spirit of togetherness, or otong royong in this elegant one-of-a-kind batik painting. It is thought that all tasks become easier when shared by more than one, and this belief in reciprocated obligations is an integral part of daily life in Bali.

Neighbors work together, harvesting the abundant crop of rice on the beautiful island of Bali. Gusti Made Sujana shares the spirit of togetherness, or otong royong in this beautiful batik painting. This system of communal aid is characteristic of the traditional Indonesian society. The only reward expected by participants is the satisfaction of having helped their neighbors to have a better life. All tasks become easier when shared by more than one and this belief in reciprocated obligations is an integral part of daily life in Bali.