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Self, Soul Loss, And Motorbikes In Modern Bali, Lucia Alexandrin

Award Winning Anthropology Papers

In this paper I argue that modernity has paradoxically led to a reinforcement of traditional Balinese ritual practices instead of its demise. Modernity in Bali has resulted in increased numbers of motorbikes on the roads and other factors which create dangerous driving conditions. Motorbike accidents, which can cause soul loss, are thus more likely to occur, causing Balinese people to more frequently seek out traditional practices as a way to remedy soul loss. Traditional rituals are also used to prevent motorbike accidents. Therefore, certain consequences of modernity reinforce traditional ritual and solidify Balinese conceptions of self.