THE CASTES

But the dispute still goes unsettled, with the priest's sphere of influence restricted now to purely religious duties. Brahmanas are devoid of administrative powers, but serve as judges in the courts; they could not be sentenced to death and did not pay taxes to the princes, but instead had to pray for the well-being of the land.

Their own regulations forbid them from attending cockfights or making money in commerce. They are exalted and aloof, but ordinary people secretly laugh at them; there is a popular story, Pan Bunkling, in which the hero is constantly poking fun at Brahmanas and their philosophy. The Brahmanas can be identified by the titles of Ida Bagus for men and Ida Ayu for women, both meaning "Eminent and Beautiful"

Satrias are supposed to be the descendants of the former rulers, and many claim to be of the family of Sri Krisna Kapakisan, the great overlord that ruled Bali at the time of Gadja Mada. He was supposedly born of a heavenly nymph and a stone Brahmana (Korn) . The Satria caste is divided into two main groups; the Satria Dalem, the descendants of the ruling princes, and the lesser Satria Djawa, those of the prime ministers' families.

Today Satria blood is very mixed, owing to intermarriage with the lower castes, some of which are considered even lower than the higher Wesias. The Satrias are called by the titles of Ratu, Anak Agung, Tjokorde, and so forth. Among the lesser groups are the Predewa and the Pangakan (who bear the titles of Prebagus and Presanghyang).

The members of the third caste, the Wesias, are better known in Bali by their title of Gusti, also subdivided into many groups. The highest, the Pregusti, are the descendants of Arya Damar, the predecessor of Gadja Mada. The lower Wesias are the descendants of the lesser Javanese princes and Pungawas. The Gustis are the majority of the Balinese nobility and are often politically influential.

links [ 1 ] - [ 2 ] - [ 3 ] - [ 4 ] - [ 5 ]