The Changing World of Bali: Religion, Society and Tourism (The Modern Anthropology of Southeast Asia)

The glossy guide book image of Bali is of a timeless paradise whose people are devoutly religious and artistically gifted. However, a hundred years of colonialism, war and Indonesian independence, and tourism have produced both modernizing changes and created an image of Bali as ‘traditional’. Incorporating up-to-date ethnographic field work the book investigates the myriad of ways in which the Balinese has responded to the influx of outside influence. The book focuses on the fascinating interrelationship between tourism, economy, culture and religion in Bali, painting a twenty-first century picture of the Balinese. In documenting these diverse changes Howe critically assesses some of the work of Bali’s most famous ethnographer, Clifford Geertz and demonstrates the importance of a historically grounded and broadly contextualized approach to the analysis of a complex society. The Changing World Of Bali Analyses The Religious And Social Changes In Bali And The Impact Of Tourism In The Context Of Political And Economic Developments In Indonesia From The Colonial Period To The Present Day. Incorporating Up-to-date Ethnographic Fieldwork, The Book Investigates The Myriad Of Ways In Which The Balinese Have Responded To The Influx Of Outside Influences. The Balinese Have Seen The Emergence Of A Much More Fluid And Contested Religious Scene, Generating Dynamic Connections Between Religious Practice, Ethnic Identity And Artistic Activity. However, Howe Argues That These Developments Have Been Complicated By A Concern For The Integrity And Authenticity Of Balinese Culture. Exploitation Of The Island By The Tourist Industry, Especially After The 2002 Bali Bomb, Has Created A Sense Among The Balinese That They Are Being Robbed And Their Culture Contaminated.--jacket. Introduction : The Kuta Bomb And Balinese Culture -- Colonialism, Caste And The Beginnings Of Tourism -- Balinese Character Assassination? -- The Efficacy Of Ritual Action And The Transformation Of Religion -- The New Religions Of Bali : Agama Hindu And Sri Sathya Sai Baba -- Controversies Over Hierarchy -- Tourism, Culture And Identity. Leo Howe. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [147]-156) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Series Title......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Illustrations......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 1 Introduction The Kuta bomb and Balinese culture......Page 12 2 Colonialism, caste and the beginnings of tourism......Page 29 3 Balinese character assassination?......Page 49 4 The efficacy of ritual action and the transformation of religion......Page 67 5 New religions of Bali Agama Hindu and Sri Sathya Sai Bab......Page 102 6 Controversies about Balinese hierarchy......Page 122 7 Tourism, culture and identity......Page 142 References......Page 158 Index......Page 168 Focusing on the fascinating interrelationship between tourism, economy, culture and religion in Bali, Leo Howe paints a twenty-first century picture of the Balinese.