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Festivals and events are an integral part in the social landscape of Bali, and
have a deep significance in the lives of the Balinese. Bali Festivals and Events
are determined by the calendars of the Balinese from long time. The citizen of
Bali celebrate Kartini Day in Bali with much respect and honor just the way they
celebrate any other day significant in their lives.
The people of Bali take part in myriad of festivals, some of which are dedicated
to the art of woodcarving or the birth of a goddess. Where as other festivals
are part of the temple festivals, fasting and retreat ceremonies, cleansing
festival, special prayers for the dead, nights of penance (sivaratri), harvest
festivals (usaba), blood sacrifices and house deity anniversaries (odalan sangguh).
The Bali Travel Guide gives more information on these festivals in detail. The
Kartini Day in Bali is celebrated as a commemorative day to remember the birth
of Raden Ajeng Kartini, founder of the Balinese women's rights movement.
The Kartini Day in Bali is widely celebrated by women across Indonesia. In
Indonesian schools children compete in national dress competitions. On this
day women wear traditional dress.
Few words about Raden Ajeng Kartini
Born on 21 April 1879 in Jepara of Central Java to an aristocratic family,
Raden Ajeng Kartini became a leading feminist of women emancipation in Indonesia.
Kartini rebelled in her quiet way against the injustice meted to the woman of
that society and inspired the women of her nation to achieve more than what
the society allowed them.
In 1964, President Soekarno stated Kartini as Indonesian Heroine and set Kartini's
birthday, 21 April, to celebrate Bali's Kartini Day.
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