Dreamcatcher from Bali To Ward Off Bad Dreams

“You know it’s a Dreamcatcher!” my housemate applauds me. “Of course I do!” I replied non-nonchalant. I wanted her to think I was calm. Though it was only there, in her bedroom, I saw a Dreamcatcher in real life for the first time. I have read about it (in Sydney Sheldon’s novel, if I recall correctly) to identify it accurately.

The Origin of Dream Catcher

Originating from the Ojibway tribe of Native American culture, a Dreamcatcher is made of a hoop, threads and other decorations. It’s supposed to “catch” one’s terrible dreams so they only have the good ones. Different cultures have adopted it for its aesthetic value.

I wonder whether Dreamcatcher is equivalent to the evil eye.

Months later, I bought my first Dreamcatcher during my first trip to Bali at Ubud Traditional Arts Market. Bali is filled with Dreamcatchers. Though it has little to do with Indonesian culture, we adopt it for economic reasons. Also, after all, it has its aesthetic value of it.

I plan to make my own Dreamcatcher someday. But for now, my Bali-bought Dreamcatcher is hanging in my rented bedroom in Singapore, on the window right above my bed, as it’s supposed to be turned near where one sleeps.

It blends well with the boho-chic decor I have been trying to achieve. I want to think that it has been warding off my bad dreams. But more than anything, it feels like approval of my culture’s curiosity to explore the world and learn more about it.

Sometimes, as I lay awake at night and catch the reflection of the Dreamcatcher, I wonder whether I would still keep it once I move back to Jakarta years from now. I hope I do.

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