Balinese women in modern society

Balinese culture has been referred to as the perfect form of socialism, with every member of the community expected to work, take part in community events and be invited to all community ceremonies. Balinese women form a central part to all this and while their roles differ from the men without them the culture would not function.

From a young age Balinese girls are taught how to present offerings at the family temple, by laying canang, placing incense and offering prayer. They are taught Balinese dance and traditional food preparation, which is very much a part of ceremonies.

Balinese culture holds the goddess Dewi Sri (the goddess of rice) in special esteem, as Bali depends on its ability to harvest rice 3 or 4 times a year. In Balinese Agama Hindu, the trinity of Brahma (the creator) Wisnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer) also have other lower representations, Dewi Sri being one. Another extremely important female goddess is Dewi Danu (the goddess of the crater lake) from where Bali is supplied with water year round. At the temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur, it is written ‘Because the Goddess makes the water flow, those who do not obey her may not possess her rice terraces’.

As part of the tradition, a virgin priestess chooses 24 boys to to serve the Goddess as temple priests. The representative of the Goddess, a high priest or Sanglingan is also chosen by the virgin priestess to look after the temple. Dewi Melanting is the goddess of business and prosperity.

Traditional village life has had to accommodate tourism and Balinese women have had to adapt. In years past men could take more than 1 wife and a woman’s role would be to serve the family, getting married quite young. Polygamy is not common these days and the husband is required to get the consent of the 1st wife if it does. In the late 20th Century education opportunities increased and interactions with westerners presented some women with the chance of employment outside of the village.

Balinese men are under pressure from their families to provide a son. Many will not marry a woman unless she can get pregnant, which accounts for the fact that many girls in Bali get pregnant, then happily tell people they are getting married soon. Married women can sign up for the national family planning program, although contraception is available widely in pharmacies and convenience stores.

Balinese married women can also open their own bank accounts and if divorce occurs, expect 50% of the family wealth. The Legal Aid Foundation helps Balinese women going through divorce.

At home the buck usually stop with the women, who work, look after the kids and perform ceremonial duties. The 20th Century made those things more difficult, with new ‘wants’ and ‘must haves’, even the ceremonial bantens (pyramids of fruit) carried in procession, on top of women’s heads, use imported fruit which looks nicer. Financial stress in the village and time stress for those living in developed areas trying to balance a working life with a ceremonial life, take a toll.

Balinese traditional law (adat) states that the children of a Balinese woman married to a foreigner have no traditional rights. Indonesian law states a woman must get permission from her husband to get a passport and a bank loan.

Balinese women manage to exhibit great beauty and elegance in the face of challenging times.