A viral video has surfaced showing a Hindu religious ceremony disrupted by fireworks from FINNS Beach Club at Berawa Beach, Bali. The incident occurred during the sacred Ngelanus ritual, sparking widespread criticism on social media.
The Deputy Head of Berawa’s traditional village, Wayan Kumara, expressed his disappointment, stating that the beach club was requested to delay the fireworks due to the ongoing religious ceremony. “We communicated the request clearly before the fireworks were launched, asking for a delay. But it was ignored,” Kumara explained after being questioned by Bali’s Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) on Friday, October 18, 2024.
According to Kumara, the club’s refusal to postpone the fireworks highlights the growing disregard for Bali’s cultural and religious practices amid rapid tourism development. “This wasn’t about a communication failure. The fireworks could have easily been delayed for just 30 minutes out of respect for the sacred rituals,” he added.
The traditional village leadership has expressed frustration not only about the timing of the fireworks but also the fact that they are launched from a public beach, not within the private area of the beach club. A local traditional council (paruman) in May 2024 had restricted fireworks displays at the beach to twice a week, but FINNS Beach Club has been accused of conducting them daily.
Beach Club Defends Actions
FINNS Beach Club, however, defended its position. The club’s security manager, Made Sudiarta, explained that the last-minute request from the local community to delay the fireworks came too late. “The request was made at 6:50 p.m., just 10 minutes before the fireworks, which were scheduled between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.,” Sudiarta said. He added that the delay was difficult due to the technical requirements involved in setting up the fireworks display.
The beach club also argued that they had obtained proper permits from the Bali police for their daily fireworks displays. However, local residents and traditional leaders have raised concerns about the impact of these frequent displays on the community and the local environment.
Public Reaction and Criticism
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with Balinese musician and activist Jerinx, known for his outspokenness on social issues, sharing the viral video on his Instagram account. In his post, he criticized the commercialization of Bali’s culture and expressed anger over the disruption of the religious ceremony. “The sanctity of Bali’s Hindu rituals is being trampled by the tourism industry’s pursuit of profit,” he wrote. Jerinx warned of the erosion of Balinese identity if such incidents continue.
Rising Tension Over Beach Clubs in Bali
This latest controversy comes amid broader concerns over the expansion of beach clubs across Bali. In Sanur, plans for a new beach club have faced resistance from locals who fear it would undermine the area’s reputation as a peaceful, family-friendly destination. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has been working with local leaders to address these concerns.
As Bali continues to grapple with the balance between tourism and preserving its cultural heritage, the need for better communication and regulation of tourism activities has become increasingly evident.