22 Rare Century-Old Photos of Bali that Will Take You Back in Time

There’s a saying that goes like this: “People without the knowledge of their history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” Compiled from various sources, these black and white photographs capture the essence of life, the people, and culture in Bali before 1920, during the Dutch colonial period. Let’s time-travel to Bali in the past century through the photos below:

Portrait of a Balinese family (circa 1910-1920). Source: Tropenmuseum

A Balinese male dancer (circa 1910-1920). Source: Tropenmuseum

A young Balinese girl in traditional costume (circa 1910 – 1914). Source: Tropenmuseum

Two soldiers (circa 1880). Source: Bali Museum

Two Baris dancers drinking beers (circa 1918). Source: fareastitems.com

The Raja of Buleleng and his secretary (circa 1875). Source: Tropenmuseum

Balinese tiger (now extinct) killed by a European hunter, M. Zanveld (circa 1920). Source: Vratislav Mazak

A native Balinese woman spinning thread using a spindle (circa 1910). Source: old-indische.blogspotdotcom.au

Parade of beautiful Balinese young women carrying handmade offerings on their heads (circa 1910-1920). Source: Tropenmuseum

A European family posed in front of a temple in Bali (circa 1910). Source: Tropenmuseum

Four women on their way to the market carrying wicker baskets on their heads (circa 1910-1920). Source: Tropenmuseum

The funeral and cremation of the Raja of Karangasem, Goesti Bagoes Djelantik (1916). Source: Tropenmuseum

Daughter of the Governor of Buleleng (circa 1882). Source: Tropenmuseum

Portrait of a mask dancer (circa 1910-1920). Source: Tropenmuseum

Three Balinese spear dancers in front of a temple complex (circa 1910-1920). Source: Tropenmuseum

Balinese women with offering bowls on their heads (1910). Source: Tropenmuseum

Two men wearing clothes of Balinese Hindu highest caste (1880). Source: Tropenmuseum

Portrait of a young woman in a beautiful traditional dress (1910). Source: Leiden University Library

Baris dance performance at a temple complex near Mount Batur (circa 1910-1920). Source: Tropenmuseum

Street in Bali (1912). Source: Leiden University Library

The Raja of Buleleng with priests and courtiers (circa 1820-1890). Source: Tropenmuseum

A typical morning at a traditional market (1920). Source: Leiden University Library