BALI, INDONESIA, April 29, 2009: Before the introduction of paper as writing material to the paradise island of Bali, Balinese used specially processed palm leaves known as lontar to record details for future preservation — the same ones used in South India. Despite the popularity of paper, lontar is still being used in Bali for rendering texts, especially those which are considered sacred such as history of a clan, religious practices, magic related-incantations, parts of Ramayana or Mahabharata epic, information on horoscopes, soothsaying and calendars, technical literature, science, instruction, medicine, cock fighting, etc.
The preference of using lontar to record important or sacred information is due to the popular belief that papers mar the sacredness of information or the efficacy of incantation. To the Balinese Lontar gives a sense of sacredness and holiness and since the content of the sacred information as well as the Balinese script which is used to record the information are sacred, and have a vital force, lontar is considered the perfect container for them.
Lontar is deeply venerated by Balinese, anyone who wishes to read lontar regularly needs to undergo a consecration ritual (mawinten) which must be performed by a brahman priest. Lontar cannot be sold or thrown away when damaged but it can be burned with proper ceremony and offerings.