Tumpek Landep: Blessing my motorbike in Bali
Tumpek Landep is a Balinese tradition dedicated to blessing metal objects, including motorbikes, while embracing gratitude and spiritual clarity.
Bali’s Sacred Ceremonies: Understanding Cremation Rituals Through Dance
Ngayah, Pelebon, and Gambuh—the meaning of selfless devotion in Bali’s sacred cremation ceremonies and how dance connects culture, spirituality, and tradition.
Rediscovering My Roots Through the Spirit of Tari Pendet
Tari Pendet is one of Bali’s most iconic traditional dances, originally performed as a sacred offering in temples. Rooted in Balinese Hinduism, the dance was created to welcome deities and spirits during
A Thousand Dancers by the Sea: My Experience at Gandrung Sewu in Banyuwangi
A Thousand Dancers by the Sea: My Experience at Gandrung Sewu in Banyuwangi I had heard whispers of this mesmerizing event years ago—a sea of dancers moving in perfect harmony on a
Entering the World of Gambuh – Balinese Theatre
I never imagined myself diving into the world of Theatre in Bali. I’d always admired it from afar, but being part of it seemed out of reach. That all changed when Bumi
Balinese Cultural Experience: Where to Learn Traditional Dance
A journey to learning traditional Balinese dance in Bali. From childhood exposure in Australia to a determined search for the perfect dance school in Bali, the narrative captures the challenges faced, including
From YouTube Tutorials to Jakarta’s Grand Stage: My Tari Gandrung Experience
In 2023, Deena participated in the Indonesian Arts & Culture Scholarship program, to learn Tari Gandrung and performed at events like the Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival and Indonesia Channel in Jakarta. Overcoming challenges,
My Journey with Sanggar Lang Lang Buana and Tari Kembang Bakung
Joining Sanggar Lang Lang Buana through the Indonesian Arts & Culture Scholarship, Deena learned two dances Tari Gandrung and Tari Kembang Bakung. The dynamic East Java style, influenced by Balinese elements, led
Dancing with Spirits: Experiencing Banyuwangi’s Mysterious Seblang Ritual
Tari Kembang Bakung, a traditional dance from Banyuwangi, East Java, is inspired by the ancient Seblang Bakungan ritual. Rooted in the region's history since the 1600s, the ritual involves a mystical dance.
Virtual to Reality: Joining the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship Program
In 2021, amid the pandemic, Deena virtually explored Indonesian arts with Sanggar Lang Lang Buana. Yearning for an in-person experience, she found serendipity in March 2023 when her friend joined the same
