Balinese culture is compiled, documented and communicated
through Balinese language. When paper was not invented yet,
its people wrote their language on the palm
leaf. In Balinese it’s called lontar.
Languages in use were Old Javanese (Kawi) and Balinese. Each
character is carefully incised on the surface of palm leaf
by sharp knife or mutik. Having completed the writing, the
entire works are then rubbed with traditional ink made from
lamp shot and oil to blacken. Other than on palm-leaf,
the also wrote on the surface of copper plate or stone, especially
for historical notes on temple or building inscription. Both
have become an important relic that retained historical information
for us today.
Writing
Balinese language
is not merely a matter of writing activity. It comes into
contact with the twin essences, namely Balinese
language and its character. Preservation of the language
seems to have a good progress. Students starting from third
year at elementary school have been thought Balinese
language and its character. It is expected, they will
have at least a basic knowledge on this subject. Then, they
are also proud of and remain to get in touch with the root
of their cultural identity.
For student, learning language just intended to get academic
score and the communication itself will be boring. But when
trying other function of language like expressing the beauty
of languages though poetry, prose or drama or the combination
of language and picture (graphic) like calligraphy and cartoon
will be more immensely interesting because this has put the
language into its real practice where emotion, time and space
get involved together. The letter is now widely developed
as lovely souvenir
products sold to visitors.
Endeavour to preserve Balinese
language have also been undertaken though informal activities,
both the spoken and written. Spoken language have undertaken
through the chanting along with its paraphrasing into vernacular
Balinese language,
poetry reading,
speech contest and interactive discourse through electronic
media (radio and television), while the written one is through
the competition of writing on lontar
leaf. The letter was frequently organized in several activities
such as in the Bali Art Festival, village youth club and some
other Balinese cultural events.
As a matter of fact, ancient lontar manuscript contain a
variety of knowledge, starting from literature, technical
instruction on farming, astrology, traditional herbal medicine,
rituals, chronicle, ethnic and so forth. By now, they are
retaining in some museums and lontar
documentation centres spreading though out Bali.
In relation to this preservation, Department of Balinese
Studies at Udayana University or elsewhere as the ‘think
thank’ should be maintained at all times. Similarly,
young generation must be encourage to learn more about Balinese
language along with all aspect about it and keep on discovering
the potency inside.
