In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the
area, The Head of Banjar Basangkasa continues
his good intention of having a development
without forgetting the Balinese culture and way
of life. We talked to Kadek about what and
how he thinks about the development of Bali
and what we all have to do to keep Bali as the
‘Island of the Gods’.

“ Respect The Culture ”

Living in this island of Bali, it is our obligation
to appreciate and respect the culture and
that’s how we can keep Bali as one of the most
favourite island destinations in the world” said
Kadek. The astonishing beaches and stunning
scenery in Bali mean nothing if we are not preserving
the Balinese culture and it is the major
reason that this island is so loved by the world

“Protect and save the culture”

Looking at the rapid development of many businesses owned by the private sector, he sees that this development has to be guarded for the sake of Bali’s people and culture. It is their tradition and they believed they need to keep and preserve the land heritage from the ancestors and not to sell it. Therefore, much of the land is not for sale but only for lease. He feels that about 40% of the local people have now become more modern; even though they still keep the tradition, the concept and way of life have shifted a bit. He, as a Balinese and Head of the Banjar, has the obligation always to remind those people to protect and save the culture that has been taught by their ancestors for years. This is aimed to give a blessed and prosperous life for the people as well as for the island itself.

“ Did you know that Bali maybe the most democratic island in the world? ”

As we spoke about how the democracy and globalisation may change the way people do things and slowly reduce the importance of culture and local way of living, Kadek said that democracy has long been here in Bali - even before people started talking about it.

As the Head of the Banjar, Kadek has no authority to make decisions and his
primary job is to become a think tank for the village and offer the people his ideas but, at the end of the day, the whole community will decide what is good for the village at the meetings

“ Democracy and Globalisation will only work if it’s adjusting to a local culture ”

He stated that democracy without culture would
probably create a mess in a society. In an era of
globalisation, keeping the strong tradition of Balinese culture has proved that the
people will live in a more harmonious environment and they will have more respect for each other.

“ Democracy works only if it goes parallel with the culture ”

Democracy seems to have become a global way of life but it has not provided the world with completely positive impact; in fact, in some nations it creates chaos. This way of life offers a freedom but what most people may have forgotten is that freedom comes with responsibility on hand he said.

Democracy is not only about rights but also obligation and some people have been misled into thinking that rights have to come before obligations. In the old days, no rights were provided before performing the obligations but democracy without respecting culture is in fact creating a new culture of me, me and me!

“ We should not embrace democracy before embracing our own culture! ”

“Look at what happens on the television, fights between leaders and nations, they should not have
displayed this to the young generation with the presentation of no respect; it’s wrong” Kadek said.
Instead, we should teach them what has been taught by
our ancestors such as respecting your parents, don’t stand in the middle of elderly people while they sit
on the floor, never sit on your parents’ pillow.
These simple traditions will also teach our kids to be more polite and respectful to others and that is
where the world can live in harmony.

When I first met Kadek, the Head of Banjar Basangkasa, it never crossed my mind that such simple
guy would have such wishful and honourable
thinking. We talked about the Balinese culture and way
of life and how we can continuously preserve
them. Talking for a few hours with him
seemed as if it were only minutes; a simple guy
with simple thoughts but so right!