A love letter to Balinese traditions

There are places that mark you forever. For us, that place is Bali.

It’s where the idea for our brand was born and all the rhythm, the meaning, the energy behind it all. And if there’s one thing that makes the Island of the Gods so deeply unforgettable, it’s the way its people live with intention, beauty, and spirit. Today, we want to take you behind the scenes of some of Bali’s main sacred traditions Nyepi, Galungan, and Kuningan that continue to inspire every part of our creative process (There is quite a lot of celebration but it will be in another blog post).

Nyepi, the day of silence (and deep reconnection)

Imagine a whole island going completely silent. No flights. No lights. No motorbikes. No work. No scrolling. Just… stillness. Yes, it can happen and it is amazing to live it !

Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, is one of the most powerful experiences we’ve had on the island. It’s like a reset for the soul. A whole day dedicated to reflection, fasting, and spiritual cleansing. The night sky over Bali glows like a painting, unpolluted by artificial lights. It’s humbling. Magical. Raw. You can even see the galaxy and the whole star world. And we always come back from it with new ideas, more clarity, and gratitude in our hearts.

The day before Nyepi, however, is pure chaos (the good kind!). Giant demonic statues called Ogoh-Ogoh are paraded through the streets in a riot of fire, drumming, and dancing. Then, they’re burned, symbolizing the cleansing of evil spirits a fiery goodbye to the past.

Galungan & Kuningan, when the ancestors come home

Every 210 days, Bali prepares for a homecoming like no other.

During Galungan, the Balinese believe that the spirits of their ancestors return to visit their homes. The streets become jungles of color, lined with towering penjor (bamboo poles decorated with coconut leaves, rice, and flowers). Anyway, each ceremony ("upacara" in bahasa) is deeply emotional. The offerings called "canang sari" containing flower petals, rice and sometime egg or cigarette, carry meaning.

Ten days later comes Kuningan, a golden farewell. Families dress in bright yellow, symbolizing prosperity and light. They make final offerings, play gamelan music, and release the spirits back to the heavens. It’s both joyful and bittersweet, the kind of celebration that makes you want to hug your own ancestors a little tighter, even if they’re not right here.

Why it Matters to us

These rituals remind us to create with meaning, to slow down, to honor where we come from. When we hand-paint our illustrations, we think of the offerings laid out with care. When we choose color palettes, we remember the morning markets and temple canopies. It’s all connected.

So if you’ve ever felt a bit of that energy in our pieces, now you know where it comes from.

Want to explore further?

Here are a few beautiful resources if you’re curious to learn more:

• Book: Bali: Sekala & Niskala by Fred B. Eiseman Jr. is an amazing dive into the seen and unseen in Balinese culture.

• Film: Island of the Spirits is a poetic documentary on Balinese ceremonies and spirituality.

• Podcast: Balinese Culture 101 (look it up!): insightful conversations with locals.

We hope this little glimpse into Bali’s traditions touched your heart like it did ours. Because behind Brescia Bercane, there’s a whisper of incense, a rhythm of gamelan, and a prayer folded in banana leaves.

With endless love and gratitude,
Brescia