Meaning Behind The Traditions

In This Is Green School

The significance of The Hindu Religion is revealed in Traditional Balinese Costume

The president of Yayasan Kul-Kul, Ibu Ika, co-hosted a workshop for the community on how and what to wear for various Balinese ceremonies this month.

Pakaian Adat Bali or Traditional Balinese Costumes: what and how to wear for various ceremonies.

Clothes are an important part of the “human culture” and are manifestations of the individual as well as the nations. They have many attributes, showing value, colours, identity, and prestige as well as are a sign of dignity. Just the sight of the costumes is a way to help people to find their own individuality.

The philosophy of Balinese traditional clothes are basically rooted in the Hindu’s God philosophy, believed to provide shade, peace and happiness for Hindus who believe.

Balinese culture is basically the same, which is adherence to their God.

Nowadays, the era of globalization is affecting the way people dress in Bali. As a result, many aspects of traditional Balinese clothing (vinca-swastika) change. Today Hindus, especially the youth often do not following these traditions and sadly, rules and ethics of what/how to where for ceremonies are either not being taught or are not accepted as an important tradition to continue throughout the generations.

Ibu Ika cherishes the importance of passing on this sacred custom. She, as well as many others, are desperately trying to hold on to a heritage. Only by teaching and sharing with others this can happen.

The Concept of Traditional Balinese Clothing Human beings were born as saints. So logically, it would not be a problem to pray naked.

Then why should we dress up? Clothing was created with the aim to cover the body, and the clothes are important components of the ceremonies.

The basic concepts of traditional Balinese dress is the concept of vinca (swastika). The human body is divided into three so-called Tri Angga, consisting of:

  1. God Angga: from the neck to the head,
  2. Humans Angga: from above the navel to the neck,
  3. Botha Angga: from the navel to bottom.

Actually, there is no written evidence in the Hindu bible or on palm-leaves showing the way of traditional Balinese clothing. Generally dressing in traditional Balinese means three types, namely:

  1. Busana Adat Nista: wear daily, or for the custom ceremony, and not for worships
    (traditional clothes incomplete)
  2. Busana Adat Madya: wear to worship (philosophically already complete)
  3. Busana Adat Agung: wear for a wedding ceremonies (complete accessories senses)
    Ceremonies and their backgrounds.

”They are so passionate to pass on this beautiful tradition to the community and they are thankful to all parents who attended and donated to the Kul-Kul Connection fund.”

“It was such a beautiful & insightful workshop. I feel like with this new-found understanding, I am now respecting the local customs more deeply,” said one of participants.

Lasting about 1,5 hours, the workshop ended with a photo session of all participants wearing Balinese traditional clothes.