Culture & Etiquette

1. Barong

   Mythical beast figure symbolising truth

   Usage

   The dictionary describes the embodiment of a mythological beast as a symbol of truth against destructive forces, usually worked by two men, one behind the other. There are many types; without an adjective barong ket is meant.

   Grammar Note

   Barong is a mider word.

2. Rangda

   Witch figure in the barong play

   Usage

   The dictionary says Rangda is one of the two central figures of the barong play, the negative side of the cosmos, and neither wins. The same word also means widow, so do not use it for a person.

   Grammar Note

   Rangda also means widow.

3. Kecak

   Balinese dance with a men's chorus

   Usage

   The dictionary says a chorus of men utters the syllable kecak with many variations, without instruments. It once accompanied village sanghyang dances, and the Ramayana version is now given for visitors.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary table lists it under kasar and andap.

4. Legong

   A Balinese classical dance

   Usage

   The dictionary gives only "a type of dance"; the Balinese Wikipedia title is Légong. Its reputation as a graceful court dance is general knowledge.

   Grammar Note

   Legong is an andap word.

5. Gambelan

   Balinese traditional ensemble instruments

   Usage

   The dictionary says it is a set of instruments for traditional music, from gamel (to hit), with many types by era. It is the Balinese form of the word gamelan.

   Grammar Note

   The verb magambel means to play gamelan.

6. Gambuh

   Old Balinese dance drama

   Usage

   The dictionary says it is a dance with ancient roots considered ancestral to other Balinese dances; it features very long flutes and the Panji story.

   Grammar Note

   Gambuh is an andap word.

7. Pendet

   Welcome dance for the temple gods

   Usage

   The dictionary says it is a welcoming dance presented in the temple when the gods are invited to descend, for their entertainment.

   Grammar Note

   Pendet is an andap word.

8. Topeng

   Dance by masked male performers

   Usage

   The dictionary says it is a performance by a group of masked male dancers who joke about many subjects. The word alone also means mask.

   Grammar Note

   Topeng is an andap word.

9. Rindik

   Bamboo gamelan instrument

   Usage

   The dictionary says it is a bamboo gamelan instrument like a kulintang, tuned to the Balinese scale.

   Grammar Note

   Rindik is an andap word; it also appears on the music cards.

10. Kulkul

    Slit drum made of a hollow log

    Usage

    The dictionary says it is a drum or bell made from a hollow log with a slit, used to summon people to temple or banjar events; in Indonesian it is kentongan.

    Grammar Note

    Kulkul is an andap word.

11. Subak

    Farmers' irrigation association

    Usage

    The dictionary says it is a group of farmers who pool labour to look after their land, help with harvesting and manage irrigation water.

    Grammar Note

    Subak is an andap word.

12. Banjar

    Community unit below the village

    Usage

    The dictionary says it is a community organisation one level below the village, or its territory. Ceremonies and meetings are organised at banjar level.

    Grammar Note

    Banjar is a mider word.

13. Desa adat

    Customary village organisation

    Usage

    The dictionary says it is a recognised, unitary village with an organisation that upholds customary law, the awig-awig. It is separate from the administrative village (desa dinas).

    Grammar Note

    Desa is village and adat is custom.

14. Tri Hita Karana

    Philosophy of harmony among people, nature and God

    Usage

    The dictionary says tri is three, hita is prosperity and karana is cause: harmony between people (pawongan), people and nature (palemahan), and people and God (parahyangan).

    Grammar Note

    It is a three-word compound; the Balinese Wikipedia also has an article.

15. Canang sari

    Daily offering of flowers in a small tray

    Usage

    The dictionary lists it as a kind of canang offering with a round base and decorated top. Do not step on canang placed on paths or at gates.

    Grammar Note

    Canang is the general word for the offering and also has its own card.

16. Sanggah

    Family shrine, home temple

    Usage

    The dictionary says it is a temporary shrine with a flat top, or the whole set of shrines in the family temple. The polite word is merajan (alus singgih). It is a holy place in the house, so do not enter unasked.

    Grammar Note

    Sanggah is andap and merajan is the alus singgih form.

17. Titiang meled ningalin tari Legong

    I would like to see the Legong dance

    Usage

    To say you want to see a performance. The sentence is built from verified words.

    Grammar Note

    Tari is the dictionary word for dance.

18. Tari puniki ngawit jam kuda?

    What time does this dance start?

    Usage

    To ask when a performance starts. The clock expression is constructed with few attestations. The sentence is built from verified words.

    Grammar Note

    Jam kuda means what time, constructed as on the time cards.

19. Napi arti Tri Hita Karana?

    What does Tri Hita Karana mean?

    Usage

    To ask about the Balinese concept. The sentence is built from verified words.

    Grammar Note

    Arti is the dictionary word for meaning.

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