Asian Geographic-April 2018

LESTER V. LEDESMA is an award-winning

photojournalist whose work has been showcased

in the Chobi Mela Festival of Light, the Singapore

International Photography Festival, and publications

like CNN Travel, Hemispheres and Condé Nast

Traveler. Based in Singapore, he has covered Asia for

over two decades, and continues to travel

the region in search of topics involving local culture.

He likes street food, cold beer, and a good story.

watery eyes – both from the momentary pain

and the smoke. The air is thick with ash and

bits of charcoal.

The soundtrack to all this commotion is

a traditional gamelan ensemble, stationed a

safe distance from the fray. The beats of the

music intensify as the action grows frenzied.

Combatants are enthusiastic but careful, and

no serious injuries or quarrels erupt. (Even if

accidents should occur, burns will be sprinkled

with purified water and left to heal. No

medication is provided.)

The fighting rages on for about an hour

before the coals are spent. But it’s not over.

Those caught in the

crossfire suffer burn

marks on their shirts

and watery eyes – both

from the momentary

pain and the smoke

4.2

MILLION

Balinese

POPULATION

LANGUAGE

RELIGIONS

Bali:

indonesian

province

Sweating from the exertion, the tired men then

drag massive ogoh-ogohs (demon effigies) onto

sore shoulders, and herald the new year with

a last hurrah of processions down the streets.

By midnight, these statues too will be burning,

along with the evil they symbolise, and the

villagers will be ready to embrace the coming

year purified by flame. ag

Hinduism

84%

Christianity

2%

Buddhism

1%

Islam

13%

DATA SOURCES: BALI ART AND CULTURE,

MYSTIQUE EARTH, BALI TOUR, BALI GLORY