Globalization of Balinese Performing Arts and Material Culture: New Social Life of Masks and Musical Instruments Brought Abroad

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25884096
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Cultural anthropology
• Research Institution: National Museum of Ethnology
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIDA Yukako 国立民族学博物館, 先端人類科学研究部, 機関研究員 (00700931)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-08-30 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 芸能 / グローバル化 / マテリアリティ / バリ / 文化人類学 / 仮面 / 楽器

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The performances and activities of Non-Balinese performers of Balinese dance, music or drama who perform outside of Bali are often influenced by the Balinese beliefs and taboos concerning material objects (i.e. musical instruments, masks, costumes, and headdresses) used in performances and their physical features (e.g. heaviness). They are also influenced by the fact that these objects are brought from Bali. Like Balinese, those non-Balinese performers give offerings to their musical instruments, masks, and headdresses. Their affection, respect, and deifying attitudes toward the objects define the way they treat those objects. In addition, they experience and enjoy the Balinese culture through such treatments.
On the other hand, these objects undergo both physical and non-physical changes. For example, they can have new meanings within the local religious context. Several groups have created new or modified gamelan sets using new technologies or their traditional craft techniques.

Free Research Field

文化人類学