Bali has got the name of living museum. The name was given by those experts and people visiting Bali
confirmed this statement. This was due to the fact that historical heritages and ancient way of life
are preserved well mixed and adopted in the daily life of the society. One of positive attitude among
Balinese is that when they found any ancient artifacts or any ancient remains they will preserve it in
relation with religious ritual. As of the nature of religious ritual related to any material, it is
considered sacred object and no one will risk to touch it without special ceremony to be carried out
before. That was, when archaeologist made a research to read the inscriptions of ancient king, the
people had to make religious ritual before the reading, and will be escorted by religious figures.
Almost bigger part of movable ancient heritages such as stone sculptures, bronze objects, inscriptions
are preserved in the temple. They have made a good concept of preservation so until now we have
historical heritages still preserved well, but at the other hand the historical facts are not in-site
anymore, and this gives special difficulty in developing the research.
It is lucky also that the people become more and more aware about the modern technique of preservation
and they one by one trust the government in preserving the heritages. With this new awareness, many
ancient heritages have been preserved in the museum.
Started by Dutch scholars some real museum were built to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Bali.
Below are some museums so far have been built in Bali
Bali has soo many museums which are mostly found in
Denpasar city and Ubud. Only some are in the city of
Singaraja, and Klungkung or Semarapura. Most of them
are specific museums such as paintings on Ubud, Batuan
or Kamasan style, carving style, personal created style
and others. Museum Bali is an ethnographic collections
from pre-history up to the unique aspects of this decade
of Balinese life. The establishment of a museum was
recorded that as already discussed in 1910. Since the
end of 19th century the city of Singaraja, north Bali
was already colonized by the Dutch, unlike south and
east Bali which were remind independence kingdoms until
first quarter of 20th century. Although as independence
kingdoms south Bali attracted so many artists, archaeologists,
anthropologists, and journalists who introduced the
uniqueness of the island to the world. The news spreaded
quickly encouraging the influx of tourists from Europe
to Bali facilitated by the ship called K.P.M.
The visit of tourists beside giving economic advantages,
il give worrying impact on the outflow of historical
heritages such as old carvings, old artifacts and even
important historical materials from Bali. This situation
arising serious concern among informal leaders and art
and historic researchers on Bali. Dutch residence Assistant
in Singaraja Mr. W.F.I. Kroon ordered a German architect
Curt Grundler to co-operate with Balinese traditional
architect called "undagi" to plan a pavilion
a a place to preserve the cultural heritages of Bali.
Those undagis were I Gst Kt. Gede Kandel from Abasan
village, and I Gst Ketut Rai from Belong village, Sanur.
During the construction it was faced with natural catastrophe,
the eruption of Mt. Batur in 1917 which was proceeded
by big quake that damaged some parts of the construction.
Only in 1925 that royal palace of Tabanan donated a
pavilion, and one pavilion from Karangasem of east Bali
both reflecting its own architectural style, while other
part of the area was still open air. The location of
the museum is on the east of Central Denpasar Square,
south of Pura Jagat Nata The complex was once the area
of palace of Badung kingdom.
Seven years after the construction was used as temporary
exhibition, in 1932, the legal institution was inaugurated
under the control of Bali museum foundation. In charge
for the foundation were Dr. W.F. Stutterheim an archaeologist,
Walter Spies painting artist, Dr. R. Goris an archaeologist,
Ir. Th. A. Resink, and cultural observer of Bali such
as I Gst Alit Ngurah and I Gst Bagus Negara. With the
establishment of the foundation the steps of salvaging
cultural heritages could be organized more intensively
and many privates donated their collections or trusted
the museum to preserve. At this time the foundation
was also able to buy a pavilion with the style of north
Bali architecture. So the whole complex of exhibition
houses were completed after 1932. After 33 years being
managed by Bali museum foundation in 1965 the museum
management was transferred to the government of Republic
of Indonesia, in this case Department of Education and
culture. Government changed the name to museum Bali.
Under management of the Department the development of
physical facilities and exhibition were continually
carried out until what we can see today.
The whole complex of the museum zone was constructed
to imitate the outline of the temple, which are is divided
into 3 courtyards. The outer courtyard called jabaan
directly in access to the road and city square, middle
courtyard called jaba tengah, the place of staff offices
and the inner courtyard called jeroan where exhibition
buildings consists of 3 main Bali architectural styles
are standing those are the pavilion of Tabanan, Buleleng,
and Karangasem. As a whole the architecture is a combination between palace and temple.
Tabanan Pavilion
In the area of this pavilion can be seen a bathing place,
an imitation of palace of Bali enclosed by wall, called
pasiraman, while if it is a temple this housed water
is normally a spring and is called beji. The shape of
Tabanan pavilion is like a meru, a superimposed roofs
looks like Thai pagoda. Wall is constructed with red
bricks a typical Bali style with palm fibre for roof.
The pavilion has 2 floors, all dedicated for exhibition.
On first floor can be found collection of Barong masks,
there are around 6 types of Barong masks, and all dances
using those masks are still performed on certain occasion
the head of Rangda, a figure also performed as part
of Barong dance, various Wayang puppet figures, rituals
materials, and headdress of some dancers such as Jauk,
patih, king, and others. Also exhibited long two sided
sharpened blade called kris, Balinese sword called pedang,
areca nut crackers, spear head, and death ritual knife.
On the second floor also exhibited head of some type
of Barongs, and a Rangda, traditional music called rebab,
bamboo music called angklung and rindik or tingklik,
gangsa a pentatonic melody made of metal. A unique pantomime
of Barong Landung, a couple of human bursts made of
bamboo woven and dressed. The man with black color,
and the woman white. The fairy tale is connected with
the last Balinese king of Astasura, recorded as last
ruler of Bali who defeated by Majapahit kingdom in 1343.
The king was by various archaeological indication married
Chinese Princess from Chung dynasty. The main heritages
from this ruler can be seen at the temple of Balingkang
near Kintamani, where there are Hindu and Chinese temple
in a complex, and at the tour of Kintamani has been
living Chinese community from Immemorial time whose
bigger part of them had intermarried with the local.
Karangasem Pavilion
In the shape of long pavilion a special structure in
Balinese architecture for a meeting to important religious
or traditional leaders. This pavilion is called balairung
or penangkilan. This pavilion is the first construction
of the museum started in 1910, and due to eruption was
only completed in 1925. The decoration presented at
the outside is already influenced by Western elements
such as a sculpture with hat, sitting with right leg
bending rest on left leg, a demon sculpture brings pistol,
and 2 canons with Chinese decor. On the lower terrace
standing sculptures of stone made in 16th century, such
as musicians and mother with bare breast mathernize
her child. Also symbolic freedom sculptures made in
13 - 15th century which is known as bhatara/bhatari.
The freedom means he soul is free of senses which is
sometimes misinterpretation as "moksa"
In short the them of collection in this pavilion is
prehistory and religious rites. Important prehistoric
collection are hand axes originated around 15.000 years
BC found at Sembiran village, and Trunyan.Also spear
head like tools found in Selonding cape at Nusa Dua
which is believed as he typical tools as the typical
tools of hunter era of 4.000 BC. Various tools from
the era of megalith such as various stone axes, vases,
shoe axes, dagger, bronze bracelets, earrings, finger
rings and cornelian jeweleries. Stone sarcophagi for
coffin which were unearthed associated with earthen
wares, bronze accessories with simple decoration of mostly geometric styles.
Here can be seen what is the difference between Bali
writing in the year of 1180 AD and writing of today.
The writing was issued by king Jayapangus printed on
copper plate. Modern Bali writing describing the story
of Bharatayudha with its comic version called prasi
for illiterate, all are written on palm leaves.
Various types of bronze sculptures made between 13 to
16th century can also be seen at this pavilion. Some
types of coins such as Chinese bronze coins, silver
coins and gold coins. This is a proof that Balinese
has also introduced money as means of trade in the past.
Ceramic collection also present from Europe, China,
and Thailand. The oldest porcelain was from China in
various shapes, such as from Tang, Sung, Yuan, Ming
and Ching dynasties while porcelain from Europe is much
later period ca. 19th century.
Priest's tools used during their ritual are also exhibited
such as baki ( bowl ), tripada ( tripod ), swamba (
water container ), genta ( bell ), sangku ( holy water
container ), pengenian ( fire base 0, and others. Various
symbols used during rituals as temple ceremonies can
also be seen such as pratima ( god symbols ), pralingga
( seat of symbols ), mounts, and others. All those symbols
are used as medium for worship. An interesting pictures
on canvas is hung on the wall depicting the forecast
of star influence on birth of a person, a Balinese traditional
astrology. The materials of the color are made of local
sources and process which was still continued by some
artists in the village of Kamasan south of Klungkung
city, among them are red stone, carosine light reside for black color, and others.
The last collection worth seeing are the materials of
2 ritualistic activities such as ngaben and cutting
( trimming ) of teeth, and wedding ceremony. The activities
are presented in simple mock up wooden sculptures and construction.
Buleleng Pavilion
Buleleng is the name of north Bali area under administration
of Kabupaten Buleleng government with capital city of
Singaraja. During early independence, Singaraja was
as the seat of the governor of Nusa Tenggara province
consisting of Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Timor, Sumba, and
Flores. In the field of construction art, north Bali
has slight uniqueness compared with the rest of Bali.
immediately on the entrance of the pavilion are seen
standing fat sculptures facing each other known as Ote.
These sculptures reminds us of strong influence of laughing
Buddha found in Thailand. Beside this also a simple
canon, sculpture of woman with more then a dozen children
a myth known in Bali as "Men Brayut" ( Brayut
Mother ), a sculpture of Shinta the princess mentioned
on Ramayana Epic. On 2 doors is notable of north Bali
decoration which is more stiff and striking colors,
suitable with the spirit of people on north Bali. At
the front of the door standing 2 women sculptures holding
fire base and holy water bowl. Symbolically before entering
a temple one will be sprayed with holy water as the symbol of purification.
As soon as one already in the room of exhibition the
first vitrine shows various type of sculptures made
of clay, stone, wood, elephant's tusk, bone and coconut
shell. These sculptures are arranged according to its
development. In other vitrine are various clay sculptures
which was before believed as the guardian spirit to
avoid harm and danger. Traditional roof top with decoration
called "dore" and a traditional Balinese soldier
with shield and kris arm. A Cili sculpture, as symbol
of fertility which the world known as Venus a tradition
for a house wife, after cooking to offer nether world
with a bit cooking known as "ngejot" which
is probably came from animist tradition. Big demonic
terra cotta sculptures are standing on the side of the
vitrine which can be found on left and right sides of
temple main gate as the guardian known as "dwara
pala" It was most probable the style inspired by
Tantric scholl that ever developed in Bali around 13th
century. A vitrine full with primitive style sculptures
such as Garuda bird, king Rahwana in black, relief of
Bima and some new terra cotta Venus and candle holders
created by people of Pejaten village. Again at 3rd vitrine
a simple styled sculptures of the myth of Wishnu transforming
himself into a pig to salvage the world from destruction
known as Waraha Avatar. Also sculpture of woman with
18 children named Men Brayut as mentioned at the beginning
of this pavilion still can be seen here. A priest holding
cane with his student, which style is also simple. The
4th vitrine also exhibit simple styled sculpture which
was inspired also by Trantric thought.
Next vitrine exhibits the works spirited by magic thought
which is a clear influence of Tantric school. Although
in practice this thought has long been discarded, but
in the work of art and practice of a Pedanda ( Shivaitic
priest ) is still can be seen. A collection of new art
style of sculpture with elongated style and flexible
body which was developed by Nyoman Nyana from Mas village.
The material is an expensive wood known as crocodile
wood, due to its skin resemble the skin of crocodile,
very solid, clear white yellowish and if sanded finely
can reflecting. Next vitrine can be seen naturalist
school of sculpture art in Bali. All new art is purely
decoration, no relation with religious ritual.
On the south eastern end of the museum complex there
are 3 modern buildings functioned as temporary exhibition,
laboratory, and office. These buildings shows that the
exterior decorated with Bali traditional art and the
interior is modern. See some more museum in Bali
From : Mengenal Beberapa Museum di Bali, Proyek Pengembangan
Permuseuman Bali, Directorat Jendral Kebudayaan, Departement
Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 198/82 |
