Balinese society is highly structured within its heirarchy and communities. The banjar (village unit or council) is made up from all male householders of the village. All members have equal voice and see to the conduct of temple matters and determine a broad category of local laws. Births, deaths, marriages, divorce, property transactions & disputes, law infringements are all the business of the banjar.Balinese NamesBalinese customs and social protocol of the days of the kings is still in effect. Most Balinese belong to the Sudra caste and thus speak common Balinese amongst themselves. They are called anak jaba or "outsiders". There are two levels of Balinese language - the normal dialect spoken amongst friends and families and the High Balinese (halus) which was derived from the courts of the Javanese. The High Balinese language is generally spoken to strangers or social superiors.
The caste system gives rise to many names and titles. The anak jaba Balinese are called by birth order: Wayan (pron: Why-arn), Made (pron: Mardy), Nyoman (pron: Normarn) and Ketut (pron: ke-toot). A given name is attached to this automatic birth denoter, chosen at a complicated Hindu ritual. The aristocracy have given titles - Dewa, Gusti, Anak Agung, Ida Bagus - are names which denote caste and positions in a complex system of heirarchy based on kinship with father or descent through the male line.
Balinese Dance and TheatreGalvanised with religion, theatre is an integral part of life in Bali. Rangda and Barong A ritual contest between the chaotic (Rangda) & the opposing force of order, healing and protection (Barong). This is a contest that usually ends in a quelling (suppression ) rather than any victory, usually preceded by a play, Calonarang. Briefly the story is about a legendary queen who is accused of performing black magic. She is either deserted by her husband or kills him by pointing the finger at him. This leads her to become known as the widow Rangda and her reputation jeopardises the marriage of her daughter. Because Rangda is slandered she becomes a witch monster who wreaks havoc upon the people. The nation is finally rescued by a royal saint who assumes the form of the Barong. The keris (kris) dancers are followers of the Barong who become enraged by hate for Rangda. They attempt to kill her with their daggers(kris), but she turns the daggers against them by her power. The Barong intervenes preventing the knives from piercing their flesh.To the audience this seems to be real. To many it seems to be a venue for the magical. This is ritual theatre and genuinely exorcistic. Performances can be seen at Ubud (Fridays 7:30pm); Mawang,Batuan (Thursdays 7:30pm); Batubulan (daily 9:30am). Legong This is an abstract, highly stylised, painfully difficult dance performed by young girls. The aim of all this is perfection. Performances Ubud (Mon Sat 7:30pm); Peliatan(Sun, Mon, Fri & Sat 7:30pm); Kuta (Sun 7:30pm); and at some hotels in Sanur & Kuta. Fire Dance The girls performing in the dance are believed to be in a genuine state of trance. Based on an old exorcistic dance, the firewalker dances barefoot on real hot coals. Performances at Bona, Blahbatuh (Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri 7:30pm); Padagtegal, Ubud (Sun 7:30pm). Kecak Dance Developed and choreographed in 1930s under the direction of Walter Spies and I Wayan Limbak, 100 male dancers become a forest, a legion of monkeys and whatever set is required for the Ramayana.Performances at the Art Centre, Denpasar (daily 6:30pm); Bona, Blahbatuh (Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri 7:30pm); Padagtegal, Ubud (Sun 7:30pm); Peliatan (Thur 7:30pm) Joged Bung Bung A flirting dance accompanied by a bamboo orchestra. Derived from the regency of Buleleng, the joged features a beautiful young girl, who encourages men from the audience to dance with her. Good fun.Puppet Theatre Wayang Kulit or shadow play is the oldest performing art in Indonesia. This play retells the story of Mahabharata (an Indian Hindu epic poem describing the origin of the Gods) and Ramayana ( an old Indian epic that tells of the struggles between the hero -Rama- and the evil king - Rawana, who abducts Rama's wife).The skill of the puppeteer (dalang) is astonishing. He handles over 100 puppets, improvising in three different languages and giving each character a special voice.
