“Amidst today’s modern Bali, where asphalted roads have taken over a good portion of rice fields, the sound of the traditional gamelan music still echoes across the island, and the traditional sarong and sash as well as the women’s kebaya remain in fashion. 

The Balinese have maintained a great trait of being a friendly, welcoming group of people. This is why they never felt any strong resistance against the introduction of western culture brought by international visitors to the island’s shores. Indeed, there have long been fears that the ‘indigenous’ cultural element of traditional Bali will be replaced by penetrating western influences.

Fortunately, Bali has a strong survival system, the kind that shows how seriously and totally the Balinese people are dedicated to their culture. 
Culture runs through Bali’s rivers, forests, beaches, mountains, and is introduced and instilled to every Balinese person from an early age.

Every person in a village is required to have a function; some as dancers and Gamelan players, others as carvers and even offering makers. And this is probably why Bali’s culture, something that has been passed on for centuries, will continue to live on.”