Translated by Putu Semiada.
Prai (Day Off)
There has been an hot discussion at the palm toddy stall with I Made Microsoft Golden Way talking a lot.
Balinese don’t have a strong work ethic — that’s what makes many Balinese do not make progress in their life,” he comments, trying to imitate the president’s style.
“Look at you; at this hour, you are already at the palm toddy stall. But look at our Javanese brothers: they work until late; they only sleep for a few hours before starting work again.”
What about we Balinese? After we get up, we drink coffee, and then read newspaper, chat with our friends. Then we will work for a couple of hours before we stop to have lawar kuwir (chopped turkey with Balinese vegetable) for lunch. After having lunch we start to work again before we go home and have another coffee.
Everybody does not give too much attention to what I Made says. They know that I Made has just returned from the USA for his year end holiday. According to him, the Americans work all the time and are very professional.
“But in Bali, there are too many holidays. That’s why it is called ‘BALI’ (Banyak Libur = Many Holidays/days off). You see, you take a day off to attend your friend’s child’s Balinese birthday (otonan), another day off to attend your wife’s cleansing ceremony (melukat), etc., etc. So Balinese are really not productive.
The palm toddy association members are gearing up to respond I Made’s comments as the cakes on the table are finished.
“Balinese take many days off not because they are lazy” says I Putu Jengah Sumangah (I Putu Stand for Balinese Culture).
As a matter of fact, it is because they have to maintain their religion and tradition. They are too proud of their culture, “ adds I Putu.
“As you may note, one day is not enough to carry out a temple ceremony (odalan) at one of Kayangan Tiga temples. And do you think that a cremation (ngaben) can be completed in one or two hours? Of course not.”
An odalan takes at least takes one week, starting with the preparations. A cremation may take one month in spite of some help from relatives; and if a village holds a ngenteg linggih (village cleansing ceremony), the villagers must do ngayah (do some work for traditional and religious purpose without getting paid) for one month.
“If not us, who do you think will do the job? The Javanese? The tourists?”
“The tourists, the Javanese, and the Balinese born outside Bali always say something nice about Bali and are amazed by the Balinese culture and religion. They take pictures of cremations and enjoy all the dances; but they all pretend as if they don’t understand that the Balinese should take lots of days of to be able to carry out Pelebon Agung (grand cremation), meméndet (dancing), etc.”
“It looks like ‘days off’, but actually it’s work. We don’t work for money, but more for our heart, as Balinese. I mean, if you want to maintain Balinese tradition, you have to take lots of days off.”
I Made gives no comment.
