Balinese girl or gadis Bali is often become serious talk among people at the informal
discussion of their fate in the midst of cultural changes experienced by the island.
Balinese in descendant of mixed Malay just as Javanese and Lombok or Sasak people
and the rest of Indonesian, but archaeologically suspected that Balinese is more
mixed blood then what was thought before. The proof of Melanesian line in Bali
has been found during many excavations by archaeologists on the western tip of
the island at present town of Gilimanuk, Desa Petang at the center of Bali, and
Payangan near Ubud and some were found at Pejeng area also near Ubud. Indication
of Mongoloid is also strong which is proved by the existence of Chinese influence
both in culture and family ties to many of people, beside the fact that migrant
from Asia mainland traces have been found in the form of ancient temple architectures,
stone sculptures, and even more earlier stage of metal age of bronze era and greatly
supported by the linguistic study. That is why among Balinese can be found mixed
colors, from bright to dark brown with curling hairs. But black is absent, while
dark brown with curling air is very rare but still can be found. Body size is
relatively small with the average height 160 cm before 20th century, and today
younger generation tend to grow higher but slender which reaches he average of
170 cm. That is also the tendency of girls growth in Bali, that is higher then
their parents. In old days girls or women in general has no equal position with
the men or boys. The foolish tradition of Bali in the past considered girls were
not equal with the boys was due to the fact of patriarchart society, not because
of taboo consideration such as certain religion or beliefs do, as most other tribes
and even religion that is still preserves the idea of inferior women. The girls
in a family were having no right toward the heritage of the family, and had no
voice to discuss the a affairs for the family. Although in fact it is believed
from the beginning Bali women is some cases acting as the pillar of the family,
head of the family and master of the market. Being a balinese girl in the past
would put the position less secure in her won family and after her move to their
husband, also totally under the full control of her husband or mother or father
in low. However this foolish tradition gradually change after the independence
of Indonesia, when both boys and girls got the same opportunity for education
Her voice has been started to be heard, her expertise have been started to be
counted for the position of higher level of profession. The same case happened
to her love life, as in the past of Bali the girl was not free to express her
feeling of love or to choose her partner. Her fate of love was decided by her
father or grand father, and she was to accept without any condition. With the
equal education opportunity and information era also penetrated Balinese society
the freedom got place. It is vaguely started as late as 1960s. The awareness of
Balinese on the importance of education for their children, a noticeable movement
started by 1970s, when families started to send their children to the cities to
continue he education to a higher level. Supported by increasing opportunities
also is the economic sector nurtured by tourism business, most families starting
1980s were able to send their children both girls or boys to continue education
in big cities such as Denpasar and many cities in Java, where various education
facilities are readily available. This new trend has given a great impact both
for boys and Gadis Bali in translating the loose control from parents, especially
those whose families are far away in the villages or small towns. The opportunity
for Gad is Bali to live away from their parents has been considered as freedom
of life, not opportunity to upgrade their quality of life. Many gad is Bali then
found themselves fall in the trap of practicing sex before legal marriage or even
live in un abnormal style such as excessive consumerism in excess to their need.
The graduation of a university or academy is only a symbol which make their life
is not suitable for the demand of society. To many girls or boys have even fall
to this situation, but a large parts are able to control themselves and found
the new freedom a favorable place for them. This new trend was it the fault of
parents? It seems that is having to do with the culture, whore old fashioned parents
presumed different hope that is not clearly communicated both by government as
the first hand who should responsible to bring their people to a better quality
in life, and the school as the main hands of the government to elevate and in
direct contact with the children. The what is their ideal or philosophy? This
must be answered by Balinese as a whole no trust to others. |
