Influencer sparks backlash after exercising near religious ceremony in Bali: 'This is sickening'

Woman was performing squats

Chelsea Ritschel
Monday 15 June 2020 11:46 EDT
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Influencer criticised for exercising near religious ceremony (Instagram)
Influencer criticised for exercising near religious ceremony (Instagram)

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An influencer is facing backlash after a viral video showed her exercising near what appears to be a religious ceremony.

In the clip, which was shared on the Instagram account The Canggu Pole with the caption: “Ignorancers in the Wild," a woman wearing a bathing suit can be seen doing squats on a beach in Canggu, Bali.

The video then pans to show a group of nearby women dressed in traditional Balinese attire and appearing to prepare for a traditional ceremony.

According to the NZ Herald, the Balinese women are preparing for a Canang sari, daily offerings by Balinese Hindus to thank the Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.

On Instagram, the clip of the unidentified influencer sparked criticism, with many accusing the woman of ignorant, “tone-deaf” behaviour.

“Ignorance and bad manners,” one person commented.

Another said: “This is sickening."

"Never have I seen such strong cultural differences,” someone else wrote.

Beaches on the Indonesian island are currently closed as the world continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

Two beaches in Badung regency, Canggu Beach and Labuan Sait beach, were briefly opened in June for foreign surfers before they were closed again just one day later.

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