North Bali

Buleleng, the northern district of Bali, is an area with a uniquely rich art and cultural tradition. It is the place where the dynamic kebyar style was born, ca. 1915, before spreading like wild fire to the rest of the island, and where vocal chanting is an old tradition. Although Buleleng was subsequently overshadowed – economically, culturally, and politically - by South Bali, a powerful and unique musical style and repertoire still survives there. However this style and repertoire are now endangered, and might easily fade into history as southern styles continue to predominate. However the appearance of North Balinese gamelan Tri Bhuana Giri at the first International Gamelan Festival Amsterdam (IGFA), which took place in the Netherlands in June 2007, was received with such wild enthusiasm and recognition by the audience, that we are led to believe that this style is still vibrant today and could have a brilliant and inspiring future, both in Bali and abroad.

Thus, the time is ripe for another, more comprehensively conceived exchange on North Balinese culture, in the form of an international conference on the Cultural Identity of North Bali. This will be a historically significant event for North Bali, and its relationship with the south and the international community of researchers, musicians and visitors of the island of Bali. It aims to provide a much needed recognition and affirmation of the now rare northern gong kebyar style and underexposed North Balinese culture, and a means to help preserving one of the world’s most brilliant music and dance styles. Since music and dance are deeply embedded in the culture of Buleleng, and therefore can’t be studied separately from it, the programme will also consider a broad range of other North Balinese cultural expressions.

Author: Wayne Vitale