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Sanur Bali

History of Sanur Bali

Sanur originates from two words, “Saha” and “Nuhur” which literally means the passion to visit a certain place. Located in the southern part of Bali, Sanur is famed for its beautiful strip of pure sandy beaches across the coastal line.

It is also famed for its’ spectacular sunrises which literally marks a new day in the life of the Balinese. A talented laid back atmosphere is what is unique about the village of Sanur where hospitality is intertwined with the traditions of Balinese culture and religion. The atmosphere from sunrise till sunset provides endless opportunities of discovery into the daily lives of the Balinese, where each corner of the village provides a certain exploration for every visitor. Lines of shaded trees along the roads, a stretch of beach for sunbathing, a strip of shops for shopping and a variety of restaurants for wining and dining, the option is endless in Sanur.

Sanur also represents a name that carries important history for tourism in Indonesia, and Bali more specific. It was on the beach of Sanur that the first Netherlands troops set foot on the island of Bali in 1906. This was also the exact place that the first war occurred between Netherlands against the community of Bali in defending their land from colonialism. This war was later known as the Puputan Badung, a heroic event that is strongly remembered by every individual Balinese until today’s generation.

Looking further back in history, around the Blanjong area, one can find an ancient stone epigraph with two languages written on it, using Old Balinese Language and Sanskrit; two totally different languages. It was believed that the place the artifact was found was an old harbor. Other epigraphs found within this area included the Ganesca and the Two Tailed Ox (Arca Dua Ekor Lembu), believed to be from the Kingdom of Warmadewa that ruled Bali in year 917. The Ganesca (a statue of an elephant head with a human body) made from limestone was said not to come from Blanjong, and was believed from remains of historic events from past kingdoms reigning in Bali. Should this be true, it is believed that Bali in the early days had already tight relations with other kingdoms around the world.

Another historic remain that marks the development or arts on the island of Bali is the LeMayeur Museum, built in Sanur in 1953 and was the first museum built in Bali. Approximately 80 paintings are showcased in this museum which was once the home of famous artist Le Mayeur himself. This museum located just steps from the ocean is physical proof for the love of an artist towards the island of Bali. Adrian-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpes originated from Belgium and left his hometown because his family was not supportive of his passion for painting. Through his spectacular paintings and exhibitions, LeMayeur introduced Sanur to the world.

Art lovers will naturally agree that Le Mayeur was famous for his impressionist style and paintings carried the main focus of a beautiful Balinese girl, who became the artists’ wife, Ni Polok. She was a talented Legong dancer. From his painting collection he eventually bought a block of land in Sanur that remains until today as an object of this never ending love story. The pair then handed over the museum to the local government of Bali to maintain, when Le Mayeur past away in 1958, followed by his faithful wife in 1985.

Sanur and Le Mayeur are two inseparable words. Originating from a small fishing village then with the development of arts, Sanur transformed into a tourist destination that introduced the island of Bali to the entire world. It is here that culture was found, it was here that arts transformed, it was Sanur the pioneer of tourism for Bali.

Sanur Culture & Customs

The Sanur community specifically and the Balinese community generally, value the balance of all aspects in life. The balance amongst humans, the balance with the Almighty God and their ancestors, and the balance between humans with their environment and surroundings. The Micro and Macro worlds. The Seen and Unforeseen. Customary activities and rituals are as united in one with the daily life of the Sanur community. The relationship is so close that one would have difficulties differentiating between culture and religion.

Like the remaining areas of the island of Bali, the Sanur community highly value culture and the traditions past down from their forefathers. In fact, in this ever developing world, it is the community of Bali and Sanur specifically that has maintained its characteristics from the foreign influence that is found in their everyday lives due to tourism. The community has maintained their cultural heritage, even though Sanur today is known as a global-village. It is the religious and cultural values that have enticed foreigners from all over the globe to come and visit Sanur, and become accustomed and a part of the villages’ traditional conduct.

The community of Sanur is a social community, living together, side by side, following the regulations set by the national government hence still conducting the rituals and beliefs set by the village chief and their forefathers from hundreds of years ago. The community unites to discus customs and coordinate rituals in a community hall called “banjar”. The banjar consists of a number of households in one community area. It is here also that mutual activities and assistance is coordinated for that specific village. Community meetings are discussed in the Banjar and become the forum of community decisions. Each Banjar has individual rules and rites which are known as “awig-awig”. Each “awig-awig” that has been made has gone through thorough discussions putting the community’s interest into consideration. Each decision made is based on mutual understanding, whilst all Banjar activities are done mutually by every member of the Banjar, known as “ngayah”.

There are even penalties applied for those opposing the rules set by the Banjar. Depending on the rules and the level of contradiction or in-tolerable mistake a member of the banjar can be expelled from the community. Should this happen, this person will no longer be a member or accepted to become a member of any Banjar in Bali. This is feared by all community members in Bali.

For each banjar, when implementing the traditional and cultural rules, possess its own guardian locally known as “pecalang” which is literally the community’s police of which the members are from their own village. Pecalangs can easily be spotted by their traditional outfit (usually adorned in traditional attire with a dagger (Keris) slipped in the hip. The “pecalang’s” task is to ensure the traditional “awig-awig” regulations and cultural laws are followed by each community member. In firmness these regulations can me much more firm than that of the national law.

A member represented in the Banjar is usually the man of the house, is married and owns a block of land within the Banjar area. Their wife and children is also a member of the banjar, but it is the responsibility of the men to attend all banjar meetings and discussions. Most Banjar’s will consist of 50-100 families. In Sanur there are a total of XX banjars, whilst in the whole island of Bali there are as many as 3500 banjars throughout, with their own individual rules or awig-awig. The difference in the awig-awig is influenced by the rites passed from their forefathers for each area and are based on three important factors which are “desa” (the place of which the banjar is located), “kala” (the time of which the rules are being made) and “patra” (the situation that the community is in). Therefore all in all, the life of the Balinese has in fact implemented democracy in its most complicated system.

The Banjar system however is not open for members that are non-Balinese, because the rites and rituals implemented by the Banjar are strongly related to the culture and traditions of the Hindu religion.

Last Updated ( Monday, 24 November 2008 )