Arbeitsblatt 38

Simon Weber (2007):

Status im Alltag auf Bali

Abstract

This paper focuses on the changes that the Balinese status system has undergone during the last 50 years as a result of economic growth, Indonesian national political influence, and the development of tourism. Ascribed status, assigned to the Balinese at birth, has become less important, but still has a remarkable influence on the people and their everyday lives.

Nevertheless, as the Balinese status system is deeply intertwined with all parts of the people’s lives, it has not lost much of its meaning within society.

• While finding a good job is noticeably easier for individuals with a gentry title, more recently a title is not sufficient if the applicant does not also have the appropriate qualifications.
• Until the end of the 20th century descendants of high status primarily ruled Bali. Since then the political landscape has undergone a remarkable change in favour of commoners. However at Bali’s highest government level, the governor’s post, control remains in the hands of gentry.
  The introduction of compulsory school attendance by the Indonesian national government has laid the foundation for egalitarian access to education. This has given the commoners the ability to strive for higher goals and earn additional respect. 
• The rules governing marriage between individuals of differing status have been relaxed during the last thirty years. Although status is still very important, status differences rarely inhibit marriage between two persons in love.

Currently there is no indication that the Balinese status system has lost its importance or will soon vanish. However, it is clear that a change in the status system—from one based on class privilege to a meritocracy—has begun to occur.

Keywords

status, cast, Bali, status mobility, titles, achieved vs. ascribed status, democratisation, meritocracy, gentry, commoners, inter-status marriage, language levels

97 Seiten.
ISBN-13: 978-3-906465-38-8
EAN: 9783906465388