The Transformation of the Traditional Balinese House in Tourist Villages: Maintaining the Culture and Obtaining Economic Benefit

Abstract

Bali is well known as a tourist destination in Indonesia. Balinese culture, inspired by the Hindu Balinese religion and expressed by performing religious activities in the village and the traditional Balinese house, has become attractive to tourists. The increase in the number of tourists has caused an increase in the number of tourist facilities constructed in traditional Balinese houses. New pavilions have been built either adjacent to existing pavilions, in the front and around the courtyard by demolishing the wall or old pavilions, or in the backyard. These constructions have changed the setting, form, and spaces of the house where Balinese, based on tri hita karana philosophy, perform socio-cultural activities to maintain a harmonious relationship with God, other human beings and the environment. This new construction gives rise to the question about the continuity of the religious activities in the new settings of the houses. Does the new transformation cause adjustments of these activities? From visual examinations and interviews, this paper examines how rituals continue within the context of house transformation that has come about by the construction of tourist facilities.