Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GLOSSARY
adat
Traditional law and custom.
alang-alang
Tall, tough, sharp-edged Imperata cylindrical grass widely used for thatching roofs.
aling-aling
Low, freestanding wall built directly behind a gateway to deter evil spirits.
Arjuna
The most famous of the five heroic Pandawa brothers, stars of the Mahabharata.
bale
Open-sided pavilion found in temples, family compounds and on roadsides, usually used as a resting place or
shelter.
bale banjar
Village
bale
used for meetings.
balian (or dukun)
Traditional faith healer, herbalist or witch doctor.
banjar
Neighbourhood. Also refers to the neighbourhood association or council to which all married men are ob-
liged to belong; membership averages one hundred to five hundred.
Barong Ket
Mythical lion-like creature who represents the forces of good.
Barong Landung
Ten-metre-high humanoid puppets used in temple rituals and dances.
bemo
Local minibus transport.
berugaq
The Sasak equivalent of a Balinese
bale
: an open-sided “resting” pavilion in family compounds and on
roadsides and beaches.
Bhoma (or Boma)
The son of the earth and repeller of evil spirits.
bhuta (and kala)
Invisible demons and goblins, the personification of the forces of evil.
Calonarang
Exorcist dance-drama featuring the widow-witch Rangda.
candi
Monument erected as a memorial to an important person, also sometimes a shrine.
candi bentar
Split gateway within a temple compound.
cidomo
Horse-drawn cart used as a taxi on Lombok.
dalang
Puppet master of
wayang kulit
shadow plays.
danau
Lake.
desa
Village.
dewa/dewi
God/goddess.
Dewi Pertiwi
Earth goddess.
Dewi Sri
Rice goddess.
dokar
Horse-drawn cart used as a taxi in a few Balinese towns.
dukun
See
balian
.
dulang
Wooden stand/pedestal used for offerings.
endek
Ikat
cloth in which the weft threads are dyed to the final pattern before being woven.
Erlangga (sometimes Airlangga)
Eleventh-century king from East Java, son of the mythical widow-witch Rangda.
Galungan
The most important Bali-wide holiday, held for ten days every 210 days in celebration of the triumph of
good over evil.
gamelan
Orchestra or music of bronze metallophones.
Ganesh
Hindu elephant-headed deity, remover of obstacles and god of knowledge.
