Bali has introduced new regulations that forbid menstruating tourists from entering temples throughout the Indonesian island paradise. The policy is said to be part of a larger plan to address what local authorities are calling “misbehaving tourists.” They claim those are visitors who fail to respect the island’s religious and cultural traditions.
According to a March 24th article in Metro, the governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, was the authority who introduced the new guidelines, which include an explicit ban on women entering temples during menstruation. According to Visit Bali, this restriction is rooted in traditional beliefs that menstrual blood is “dirty” and would “make the temple become impure.”
Religious Context in Indonesia and Bali
Indonesia is a predominantly-Muslim nation; 86% of its inhabitants identify as being Muslim. However 87% of Balinese people identify as Hindu.
“I am implementing this circular as an immediate measure to regulate foreign tourists while they are in Bali,” the governor announced. The restrictions are based on local superstitions that have been passed down “from generation to generation.” They warn of “negative effects” for women who enter temples while they have their period.
These issues include experiencing pain, fainting, and potentially “mystical events” such as spiritual possession while on temple grounds. They also claim that the presence of menstruating women could even potentially affect nearby communities. Visit Bali states that “residents around the temple could be affected by natural disasters and diseases” as a result.
One thing the new rules don’t mention is any explanation of how authorities plan to verify whether or not a woman currently has her period if she tries to enter a temple. Will it rely on the honor system? Will officials attempt verification? The rules don’t say.
Additional Restrictions for Tourists
Anyway, the menstruation ban is just one part of Bali’s new tourist conduct rules. Tourists must now also wear appropriate attire when visiting religious sites, as they are now prohibited from “entering sacred temple areas unless they are worshippers wearing traditional Balinese attire.”
The island has also outlawed single-use plastics, disrespect at sacred sites and symbols, rudeness toward locals, public profanity, and littering.
Tourists are also required to pay the mandatory tourist levy and use licensed tour guides when exploring cultural or natural sites.
New Task Force Will Enforce the Rules
To enforce compliance with these new rules, Bali has established a dedicated task force authorized to monitor visitor behavior and issue penalties ranging from fines to jail time for rule-breakers.
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4 comments
My wife and I go to Bali pretty much every year and I can tell you that this is universally codifying rules that were largely already in place. As to the headline, I was curious since we’ll be there next month and I was curious how and why the entire island would ban menstruating women.
As you noted, enforcing this one is close to impossible. I suspect that like some of the other onerous sounding laws you brought up this will not be enforced except egregious jerks. The Balinese are hardly a rule-happy bunch, they just don’t want tourists heavily disrespecting their island or religious sites.
Sounds nutty!! maybe too many tourists.
Ummmmm, no. It’s a different culture and this is what’s important to them. “Different” is not the same as “nutty.” A traveler would know and appreciate that.
This is neither new nor specific to Bali – temples all over SE Asia have had that custom/rule for a long time…
And, yes, it’s an honor system – showing respect for local believes & customs, whether you share them or not…