BALI – A Traditional Society in Transformation

The purpose of this article is to highlight the cultural and environmental erosions in Bali caused by the effects of globalization through mass tourism, worldwide communication, international fashion and culinary as well as other aspects of modernity. Bali is not only inundated by countless hotels, malls, restaurants and never-ending concrete roads that clutter the once unique rice terraces and breathtaking vistas to fulfill the needs of the ever growing influx of mass tourism but is also suffers erosion of its age long tradition and heritage due to the same external threats. These foreign onslaught have posed negative impacts on the biocultural diversity of this small island of some 3 million inhabitants who have to bear the brunt of a mass tourist invasion of more than twice its population.The Balinese has potent traditional ecological knowledge (tek) and a philosophy of life called Tri Hita Karana that can deter those negative influences, because their philosophy of life forms a sacred balance as a basis to face all life challenges. However, to what extent and for how long can they be staved off is another question that this article aims to analyze and provide some provoking thoughts. Keywords: Bali, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Tri Hita Karana, Sacred Balance. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/59-03 Publication date: May 31 st 2020