Taken from ‘Bungklang Bungkling’, ‘China’, a column by I Wayan Juniartha, as published in Bali Post, Sunday, 14th February 2010. Translated by Putu Semiada
China
Each culture has its own holiday.
Hindu (Bali) has Galungan while Chinese has Imlek. There are some similarities in both cultures: both of them have fruits for their offerings, eat pork, use incense when they pray and have many gods.
“But you don’t have tajen (cockfighting) during the Imlek, says I Wayan Kaplag Kaplug (Wayan Hit Here and There).
A few days before Imlek, it usually rains heavily. Under this condition, only frogs are happy. But human beings consider such a condition as not good for them, because they will have to just stay at home or sleep.
That’s probably why the palm toddy warung looks quiet: there are only three people at the moment talking.
‘Well, it’s not really important to speak about morals: as you might have heard, a very famous spiritual guru has been reported to the police for having done sexual harassment to his students,” says I Wayan Bungut Uag (I Wayan Big Mouth).
“The Balinese should learn from Chinese. They leave their own country to make a living overseas, they are hard-working people, smart at spend their money wisely,” Made continues.
“Yes, they are keen enough to try and make a living outside their own country, and now they are everywhere, they have become hard-workers, reliable businessmen, and even bright students. Amazingly, even though they’ve never returned to their native country, they still can maintain their traditions and culture. As you can see, there are Chinese temples everywhere, starting from USA to Europe. Imlek has become an International holyday.
“As a matter of fact, most Balinese are reluctant to leave their island to make a living. They only dare to ‘show off’ in their own island but afraid to compete overseas” says Made.
“Perhaps that’s why Bali doesn’t have many prominent figures that internationally-recognized. In addition, Balinese culture has not been able to become world culture yet. It’s still only to be featured in brochures for tourism.
Wayan doesn’t quite understand what Made says. He doesn’t understand about China and global issues. All he knows about China is about Chinese coins, Chinese wine and Chinese medicine.
“But why are you still in Bali then? Why don’t you make a living in China,” asks Wayan.
“The people in my village still like me. Who do you think will take care of the temples and the banjar (village community). And the people are supposed to vote me to be mayor,” Made kidding.
But everyone knows that the real reason Wayan stays in Bali is because he doesn’t understand English and he doesn’t have any skill at all either.
“One thing about the Balinese is that they talk and talk but when they are asked to ‘realize’ their dreaks, then they step aside,” Wayan continues.
For Balinese, it is much easier to talk and say good things about themselves. And they enjoy living and die in their own island. Perhaps that’s why the Balinese never ‘win’ against the Chinese in many aspects of life.
