An investigation into the complex forces that shape Balinese identity. Over the past one hundred years, the Balinese have been challenged by colonial occupation, political turbulence, and, most recently, tourism. In response, they have come to rely on the idea of "Kebalian," or Balinese-ness. Kebalian is likened to a tree whose roots are religion (agama), the trunk is tradition (adat), and the fruits, Balinese culture (budaya). To understand how this sense of Balinese-ness came to be, Michel Picard examines the dialogues that the Balinese have engaged in both among themselves and with outsiders by conducting over a hundred interviews with Balinese opinion leaders, officials, and religious reformers. A key throughline in the construction of Kebalian is what Picard identifies as a twofold process of "religionization" and "Hinduization." This process began with the first years of the incorporation of Bali into the Dutch East Indies and became more urgent with Indonesia's independence. Kebalian today encompasses the tension between those Balinese eager to defend their customary ritual practices and advocates of Hinduism who deny that such local traditions qualify as agama. Kebalian presents a fascinating picture of religious change, identities in motion, and culture. Scholars of religion, cultural change, and Southeast Asian area studies will find this to be a fascinating and important book.
Michel Picard is a retired researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research and a founding member of the Centre Asie du Sud-Est.
Preface Introduction The discourse of Kebalian The question of Hinduism The process of 'religionization' Chapter 1: A 'Living Museum' of Indo-Javanese Civilization The 'Indianization' of Bali The orientalist view The Dutch colonial encounter in Bali Chapter 2: Making Sense of Colonial Modernity in Bali: The Debate Between Surya Kanta and Bali Adnjana (1920s) The formation of a Balinese intelligentsia The debate between Surya Kanta (1925-1927) and Bali Adnjana (1924-1930) The foundations of Kebalian: agama and adat Agama Hindu Bali versus agama Bali Hindu The aftermath of the debate between jaba and triwangsa Chapter 3: From 'Living Museum' to 'Last Paradise': The Discovery of Balinese Culture (1930s) An orientalist view of Balinese culture: Bhawanagara (1930-1935) The Last Paradise The Island of Bare Breasts The Island of Artists The Island of Gods and Demons A Lost Paradise? Chapter 4: Bali Darma Laksana: Between Orientalism and Nationalism (1936-1942) A social and cultural monthly journal: Djatajoe (1936-1941) The controversy about Bali and Christian missions Conversion and its outcome Balinese queries about their religious identity Balinese versus Indonesian nationalism Chapter 5: Towards Recognition of the Balinese Religion (1942-1958) Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa In search of a name Looking to India The struggle for the recognition of agama Hindu Bali Chapter 6: Parisada: From Agama Hindu Bali to Agama Hindu (1958-1998) Parisada Dharma Hindu Bali Parisada Hindu Dharma The New Order Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia The 'Hindu Revival' Chapter 7: Balinese Identity Under the Challenge of Tourism Cultural Tourism (Pariwisata Budaya) Cultural Tourism and touristic culture Touristification and Indonesianization Tourism development and its discontents in the late New Order Crisis and Reformasi The revival of adat under the Regional Autonomy legislation The Kuta bombing and its aftermath Ajeg Bali and the politics of Balinese identity The Benoa Bay reclamation project controversy Chapter 8: Balinese Religion in the Age of Reformasi The reform of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia The schism within Parisada Bali Back to agama Hindu Bali Agama Hindu under siege Bali as the world center of Hinduism? Conclusion The Predicament of Balinese Identity Balinese and Indonesian Organizations Glossary Bibliography Index
"Bali has long enjoyed a special standing in Indonesian studies, and no scholar has done more to deepen our appreciation of Balinese history and culture than Michel Picard. In this beautifully written book, Picard provides his most panoramic account yet of the forging of Balinese identity and religion in modern Indonesia." -- Robert W. Hefner, Boston University "Kebalian is the culmination of decades of research on how Balinese have defined themselves in the modern world. It is a magisterial study that gives voice to the Balinese intellectuals who shaped the island in the Twentieth Century. Anyone interested in the forces that shaped Indonesian culture and identity should read it." - Adrian Vickers, University of Sydney
