Heri Sisworo
Many people think that Bali is an island with a relatively homogeneous community. The majority of the population here is Hindu, and in every major Hindu ceremony, Bali becomes lively with many festivals and decorations.
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This perception of homogeneity is a little bit wrong because the Balinese Hindu community can be divided into several classifications based on their arrival on this island. One of the original inhabitants of the island of Bali is the Bali Aga who currently lives in several villages in Bali.
Migration to Bali
According to experts, there are three waves of human migration to Bali. The first migration wave occurred in prehistoric times. The second wave occurred when Hinduism began to spread throughout the Indonesian archipelago. The third wave happened when the Majapahit kingdom collapsed and Islamization took place on Java.
Those who came in the first two waves of migration is what are referred to as the Balinese native tribe, or Bali Aga. Meanwhile, the third wave of migration was dominated by Hindus from Java. In Bali, they are referred to as the Bali Jawi.
Characteristics of Bali Aga
Bali Aga Community usually lived in a relatively isolated area such as in the mountains. This community lives their daily life with very strict customary rules. Each community has its own rules which can be slightly different than those in other villages.
The language used in each community is different too. They still use Balinese language but with a very noticeably different dialect compared to other places.
Very exclusive community
People in a Bali Aga village usually maintain their customs very tightly. Residents in this place are not permitted to marry people outside their community. If someone is married to an outsider, the person must leave the village. He also will lose some rights like inheritance from the family. Inter-family marriages are permitted with a minimum threshold of four generations difference.
Although Bali Aga community culturally does not interact or assimilate with outsiders, they are very open to the presence of other communities, including tourists. People from Bali Aga village will accept anyone with open arms, as long as the guest respects their culture.
Tenganan and Trunyan
The village of Tenganan is known for its cultural exclusivity and Gringsing fabric. This village opened itself to the outside world starting in the 70s. Today, Tenganan Village has become a tourism village that receives many visits annually. You can also find the bloody Pandan War festival in this village.
The Trunyan Village community does not like to be called as Bali Aga because they consider the term to have a negative connotation. They prefer to be called Bali Mula (Original Balinese). Trunyan village is famous because they did not bury or cremate their dead. The bodies are simply placed openly on the ground, covered with only clothes and bamboo canopies.
Bali Aga village has a unique and relatively different culture compared to other places in Bali. Their naturally isolated locations makes them have limited interaction with the outside world. But now thosee villages have become an attractive cultural tourism destination, where you can see firsthand how the indigenous culture of Balinese society is carried out every day. Next
