Balinese Traditions Every Bali Expat Entrepreneur Should Know

December 13, 2024

Bali is a beautiful island known for its vibrant culture, rich traditions, and strong Hindu roots. It’s no wonder so many people choose Bali not only for vacations but also as a place to start a business. However, if you’re a business owner (especially new on this island), you’ll soon realize that these cultural practices can directly impact how you run your foreign company business in Bali.

In this article, we’ll tell you the key traditions and events in Bali that may affect your operations and provide tips on dealing with them easily.

Cultural Events Are Frequent

Bali has a lively cultural calendar filled with many Hindu ceremonies, processions, and celebrations. These events are beautiful and meaningful but can also cause temporary disruptions. For example, roads may close for processions, or your employees may need time off to attend family or village events.

ℹ️ TIPS

Always keep an eye on the local calendar, and ask your team about any upcoming events so you can plan around them. This will help you avoid any last-minute disruptions.

Nyepi: The Day of Silence

One of the most significant days in Bali is Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu New Year, also known as the “Day of Silence.” On this day, the entire island comes to a complete halt for 24 hours. No one is allowed to leave their home, and even the airport shuts down. It’s a day for self-reflection and quiet.

ℹ️ TIPS

You’ll need to plan ahead. No business operations are allowed, so stock up on essentials, notify your clients, and prepare for a full day off.

Religious Practices

Balinese Hindus often participate in smaller personal or family ceremonies, such as Galungan or Kuningan, which are as important as the Nyepi event. This means that your employees may take days off for these events.

ℹ️ TIPS

Be understanding and work with your team to adjust schedules.

Temple Days and Traffic

Bali is home to thousands of temples, each with its festival days. These days, there are processions where people travel to and from temples, often leading to road closures and traffic delays. This can affect logistics, deliveries, and customer access to your business.

ℹ️ TIPS

Plan your deliveries and important meetings around these temple days. If you’re aware of a big festival coming up, try to reschedule or allow extra time for delays.

Be Respectful, Be Flexible

Running a business in Bali offers incredible opportunities, but it’s important to understand and respect the island’s traditions. Bali is not like doing business in your home country or even other regions in Indonesia—it’s unique. The island’s deep-rooted customs and religious practices make it special, and as business owners, we need to adapt to these differences.