I know it has been ages since we left Bali but I just have to write little bit about Balinese customs, traditions and religion because it's so rich and amusing! People in Bali always talk to us, as we passed by, they were asking where are you going but they didn't really waited for the response. They ask the same question in Balinese 'mau kemana' and the answer to that is 'makan angin' which literally means 'eating the wind' just like we say 'getting some fresh air'.
Now getting more into family life I was surprised how little choice they have choosing their's children names. First names are attributed according to the rank of birth; there are four groups and most of them may be for either boy or girl. The first child may only be named Wayan or Patu or Gede if it's a boy. Second child made or Kadek, third Nyoman or Komang and the fourth one Ketut. This is all... And if families have more than four kids they the process starts all over again. We actually met many people named Wayan but I think modern families don't stick to that tradition a lot.
Bali is called the Island of Gods (who live on the top of volcano) and lent the earth to humans. Balinese religion is inspired by Hindu but also there is a lot of influence from worshipping the ancestors. For them the world is a huge ball resting on a turtle called Bedawang. Around its feet are two snakes called Naga. When Gods decide things are not going well on earth thy wake the turtle and his movement causes earthquakes. Then humans must make a lot of noise to wake the snakes who stop turtle moving. Although I don't think people actually believe it now I find this really fascinating.
Gods can be easily pleased by humans dancing, painting or doing any form of craft. They also accept offerings. That is quite similar in most religions for me more interesting is appeasing the demons. Everyday at every home and business people place the basket with offerings on the ground. The basket contains sweets, flowers, fruit,
incense and sometimes cigarette. Baskets are not beautiful and sometimes contain rotten food because demons can't tell the difference.
Demons can move only straight, they can't turn. It is said that they often hang out at the cross roads and cause accidents (that made me laugh so much after I saw the way Balinese drive!) Yep blame it on the demons! Sometimes people put roosters in the basket on the road to entertain demons so they don't cause accidents.
At the entrance points to every city and village there is a strange gate to cross. It looks like a gate which was cut in half and each half as put on the one side of the road. It is called 'candi bentars'. When the demons tries to go through the gate would close squashing demon in between.
And the last thing I wanted to write about are Balinese trees! they are amazing and people worship them.
