Synopses & Reviews
"The best book on Bali for the serious visitor…Has the freshness of personal experience."—Dr. Hildred Geertz, author of Kinship in Bali and Professor of Anthropology at Princeton UniversityIn Bali, what you see—sekala—is a colorful world of ceremony, ritual, dance, and drama. What you don't see what is occult—niskala—is the doctrine underlying the pageants, the code underlying the rites, and the magic underlying the dance. In this book, author Fred Eiseman explores both tangibles and intangibles in the realm of Balinese religion, ritual, and performing arts.
The essays collected here topics ranging from Hindu mythology to modern gamelan music. Eiseman's approach is that of a dedicated reporter in love with his subject—he has the knowledge and patience to explain the near–infinite permutations of the Balinese calendar, and yet he is still moved by the majesty of the great Eka Dasa Rudra ceremony. The author's 28 years experience on the island shows, and this book rewards close reading—even by the most seasoned students of Balinese culture.
Synopsis
These two volumes present erudite yet informal essays on the visible -- sekala -- and the occult -- niskala -- elements of Bali's cultural life. The essays cover a wide range of topics, from magic and trance healing to cockfighting and seaweed farming. The author, who has lived on Bali for 28 years, is widely recognized as a self-taught guru of Balinese folk traditions.
Synopsis
In Bali, what you see—sekala—is a colorful world of ceremony, ritual, dance, and drama. What you don't see—niskala—is the doctrine underlying the pageants, the code underlying the rites, and the magic underlying the dance. Bali: Sekala & Niskala explores both tangibles and intangibles in the realm of Balinese religion, ritual and performing arts.
Synopsis
Explores both tangibles and intangibles in the realm of Balinese religion, ritual and performing arts
Synopsis
In Bali, what you see—sekala—is a colorful world of ceremony, ritual, dance, and drama. What you don't see—niskala—is the doctrine underlying the pageants, the code underlying the rites, and the magic underlying the dance. Bali: Sekala and Niskala explores both tangibles and intangibles in the realm of Balinese religion, ritual and performing arts.
About the Author
Fred Eiseman's 28 years of experiences in Bali and his love of Balinese culture prompted him to write this book.