First published in 1937, Island of Bali is still regarded by many as the most authoritative text on Bali and its fascinating people. Included is a wealth of information on the daily life, art, customs and religion of this magical "Island of the Gods." In the author's own words it presents a "bird's-eye view of Balinese life and culture."

    Miguel Covarrubias, the author, was a noted painter and caricaturist as well as a student of anthropology. He lived in Bali for a total of three years in the early 1930s, and today his account is as fresh and insightful as it was when it was originally published. Introducing the island with a survey of hits history, geography and social structure, Covarrubias goes on to present a captivating picture of Balinese art, music and drama. Religion, witchcraft, death and cremation are also covered.

    Island of Bali will appeal to anyone with interest in this unique island, from general Eat, Pray, Love readers to serious anthropologist alike. Complementing the text are 90 drawings by Covarrubias and countless others by Balinese artists. Also included are 114 half-tone photographs, and five full-color paintings by the author.

    Part 1: the island; the people - the ancient survival - the Bali Aga, the history of Bali, the Dutch, the Lombok War, conquest of South Bali; the community - the village, the market, the social order, etiquette, language, castes, the organization of the village, the Bandjar, law and justice, the courts; rice, work and wealth - the Subak, rice culture, distribution of labour, the economic order; everyday life in Bali - the house, Balinese cooking, costume and adornment; the family - childbirth, the life of children, adolescence, the love life of the Balinese, marriage; art and the artist - the place of the artist in Balinese life, development of Balinese art, old Hindu Balinese art, the period of Madjapahit, the plastic arts of modern Bali - sculpture, architecture, painting, crafts; the drama - music, village orchestras, Balinese music and instruments, the dance, the Legong, the Baris, the Kebiyar, the shadow play, the classic drama, kings and warriors, the Topeng, the Ardja. Part 2: rites and festivals - society and religion, temples and feasts, gods, demons, offerings and exorcisms, the calendar, the high priests and Brahmanic ritual; witchcraft - witches, witchdoctors and the magic theatre, the Rangda and the Barong, black and white magic, how to become a Leyak, the witchdoctors, magic and medicine; death and cremation - the body, the soul, cremation, the sacrifice of widows, the aftermath. Part 3: modern Bali and the future.

    Biography

    Miguel Miguel Covarrubias (1904-1957) was born in Mexico City and was an author, painter, caricaturist, and professor of art history at the National School of Anthropology in Mexico City.Covarrubias