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BALI EDITION Beyond the Map
A Note for Readers Welcome to Bali, an island filled with beautiful landscapes, vibrant arts, unique traditions, and stories passed down from one generation to the next. Through the friendship of Made and Budi, you will discover the tradition of Ogoh-ogoh and learn about the people who work together to bring this special tradition to life. You will also discover that culture is more than colourful celebrations. It carries the creativity, values, beliefs, and stories of a community. As Budi learns about a tradition that is new to him, he discovers the importance of curiosity, kindness, teamwork, and respect. His journey reminds us that we do not have to share the same beliefs or backgrounds to learn from one another and build meaningful friendships. Every culture has something valuable to teach us. By listening to others, asking questions, and learning from the people who understand their traditions, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the world around us. Culture continues to live when people care for it, share their knowledge, and pass it on to future generations. Even small actions, such as learning a traditional story, appreciating local art, or respecting a community's customs, can help keep cultural heritage alive. As you read this story, we hope you will feel inspired to explore new traditions, celebrate differences, and discover the stories within your own community. Remember, preserving culture begins with curiosity, grows through understanding, and continues through care. Happy reading! i
Budi stands in front of his new house in Bali. He moved from Jakarta, a big city with tall buildings and many cars. Here, the houses have beautiful stone gates and trees are everywhere. Budi feels a little bit lonely. He misses his old school friends. "Will I find a new friend here?" he wonders. Arrival 1
The next morning, Budi walks down the street. He hears people talking and laughing at a large building called a Banjar. Budi stops and watches from the gate. He is curious. He sees something very big and very colorful inside the yard. It looks like a giant's head! Something strange 2
A boy with a big smile walks toward the gate. "Hello! I am Made," the boy says. Made is wearing a traditional head cloth called an udeng and a colorful sarong. He is holding a bucket of glue and some paper. "Do you want to see what we are making? It is for the festival." Budi smiles back and says, "Hi, I am Budi. I just moved here." Meeting with Made 23
Made leads Budi to a giant statue. It looks like a scary monster with big teeth and many arms. "This is an Ogoh-ogoh," Made explains. "We build it together with our neighbors. It represents the bad things we want to send away before our silent day, Nyepi." The Ogoh - Ogoh 3 4
Made hands a piece of paper to Budi. "Do you want to help us paint?" Budi looks at the paper and then at his own clothes. He is worried. "But Made, I have a different religion. Is it okay if I help you make this?" Budi asks softly. He looks at the other children who are busy working together. He wants to help, but he is not sure if he can. Budi’s Doubt 5
Made laughs gently and shakes his head. "Of course it is okay! Making an Ogoh-ogoh is about art and working together. You are not changing who you are. You are just helping your new neighbors and friends." Made’s voice is kind and welcoming. He smiles at Budi and points to the Ogoh-ogoh. "Everyone can help in their own way," he says. Budi listens carefully to Made’s words. Made’s Kind Words 6
Budi feels much better. He takes a paintbrush and a jar of bright green paint. He starts to paint the scales on the monster’s long tail. It is fun to feel the wet paint on the brush. He sees his new friends working and laughing together. He realizes that learning about Bali doesn't mean he forgets his own home or his own beliefs. He smiles because he is happy to be part of the group. Painting Together 7
Made works side-by-side with Budi. They talk about many things. Budi tells Made about the big malls in Jakarta. Made tells Budi about the beautiful beaches in Bali. They work for hours until the giant statue is finished. It is tall, scary, and very colorful! Finishing the Ogoh-ogoh 8
That night, the street is full of energy. Budi hears the loud music of the gamelan orchestra and sees the bright light of the obor torches. “One, two, three, lift!” Made and the other boys shout as they lift the giant Ogoh-ogoh. The monster moves above the crowd as they carry it down the street. People cheer and clap, and Budi jumps with excitement as the giant spins around. Finally, the parade ends, and the fires go out. The Night of the Parade 9
2 Tomorrow will be Nyepi, a day of silence. Made gives Budi a high-five, and they smile at each other. Budi is happy because he has learned about Bali and made a good friend. He knows that people with different religions can help each other, and he feels that he belongs in his new home. Before Nyepi 10
Culture Keeper’s Corner You can help care for culture wherever you live. - LEARN Learn the names, stories, and meanings of traditions from trustworthy sources. LISTEN Ask elders, artists, and culture bearers to share what they know. Listen carefully. ASK PERMISSION Ask before joining a sacred activity, taking photographs, recording someone, or sharing their story. PRACTISE Learn a traditional song, craft, language, game, or art from someone who knows it. SHARE CAREFULLY Check facts, credit the people who taught you, and avoid presenting one community’s practice as everyone’s practice. PASS IT ON Encourage friends and family to learn respectfully and support the people who keep traditions alive. 11
Instruction: Read the story carefully and choose the best answer (A, B, C, or D). 1. Why did Budi feel lonely when he first arrived in Bali? A. He did not like the houses in Bali. B. He missed his old school friends. C. He did not want to live with his family. D. He was afraid of the people in Bali. 2. What can we learn about Made from the way he treats Budi? A. He prefers working alone. B. He is worried about Budi's religion. C. He is friendly and accepts differences. D. He wants Budi to follow his traditions. 3. Why was Budi unsure about helping make the Ogoh-ogoh? A. He thought the statue was too difficult to make. B. He was afraid that the other children would laugh at him. C. He did not understand why the statue was important. D. He wondered if helping was okay because he had a different religion. 4. What does Budi's decision to paint the Ogoh-ogoh show? A. He wants to change his beliefs to fit in. B. He is beginning to feel comfortable with his new friends. C. He wants to become an expert in Balinese art. D. He no longer misses his old home. 5. What is the main message of the story? A. Everyone should follow the same religious traditions. B. Learning about another culture means leaving your own culture behind. C. People can respect different beliefs and build friendships through cooperation. D. Making traditional statues is the best way to make new friends. Exercise 1 — Choose the Correct Answer 12
Instruction: Complete each sentence using the correct word from the box. Use each word only once. There are two extra words. 1. Budi moved from __________ to Bali and missed his old school friends. 2. When Budi saw the strange, colorful statue, he felt __________ and wanted to know more about it. 3. Made invited Budi to help __________ the Ogoh-ogoh with bright green paint. 4. The Balinese Day of Silence, which comes after the Ogoh-ogoh procession, is called __________. 5. Budi and Made built a strong __________ because they respected and helped each other. 6. During Nyepi, people observe a day of __________. Exercise 2 — Complete the Sentences Jakarta Curious Paint Nyepi Friendship Silence Religion Parade 13
Glossary: Words from the Story - Banjar — A local community organization and gathering place in Bali. Its roles and activities vary by community. Baleganjur — A Balinese gamelan ensemble often associated with processions. Confirm the exact ensemble shown in the illustration with a local musician. Gamelan — A family of traditional Indonesian musical ensembles, including instruments such as gongs, metallophones, and drums. Different regions have different styles. Nyepi — The Balinese Hindu Day of Silence, observed as the Saka New Year. It is a sacred day associated with reflection and specific observances. Ogoh-ogoh — A large sculptural figure commonly associated with the eve of Nyepi in many Balinese communities. Designs and explanations can vary. Pengrupukan — The day or evening before Nyepi, when preparations and local observances take place; practices vary by community. Udeng — A traditional Balinese headcloth worn in particular cultural and ceremonial contexts. Sarong — A length of cloth wrapped around the body and worn in many parts of Indonesia and elsewhere. Styles and uses vary. Catur Brata Penyepian — Four main observances associated with Nyepi: amati geni (refraining from fire/light), amati karya (refraining from work), amati lelungan (refraining from travel), and amati lelanguan (refraining from entertainment/pleasure). Explain these carefully and in context. Culture bearer — A person or community that practises, teaches, and passes on cultural knowledge and traditions. Preservation — Caring for cultural knowledge and practices so they can be understood and passed on respectfully to future generations. Editorial note: Ask a Balinese cultural practitioner to review local terminology and the descriptions of Nyepi and Ogoh-ogoh before publication. 14
The Author is a writer and creator who believes that children’s stories can open doors to curiosity, empathy, and cultural understanding. Through stories about friendship and discovery, The Author hopes to encourage young readers to learn about the traditions of their own communities and those of others with care, respect, and an open mind. About the Author www.thegoodocs.com Special Note This book was developed with the intention of encouraging respectful cultural learning. The author thanks the community members, educators, artists, and cultural practitioners who share their knowledge and help future generations understand the traditions they care for.