Balinese World by Joko Wicoyo

Readings : Fredrik Barth, Balinese Worlds, (Chicago: University of Chicago, 1993) pp. 3-25, 191-220.


In "Balinese Worlds," Fredrik Barth proposes a new model for anthropological analysis of complex civilizations that is based on a fresh, synthetic account of culture and society in North Bali and one that takes full notice of individual creativity in shaping the contours of this dynamic culture.
In this detailed ethnography of the Northern district of Buleleng, Barth rejects mainstream anthropological generalizations of Bali as a cultural system of carefully articulated parts. Instead--drawing on many sources, including the sociology of knowledge, interactional analysis, postmodern thought, and his own exceptionally varied field experience. Barth presents a new model that actually generates variation. Barth's innovative analysis of Balinese life highlights both the constructive and the disorganizing effects of individual action, the constant flux of interpretation, and the powerful interaction of memory and social relationships, and knowledge as a cultural resource.
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"Balinese Worlds" is a unique contribution not only to Balinese studies but also to the theory and methods of the anthropology of complex societies. This was a highly interesting and informative book discussing the culture and religion focused in two villages, one Hindu one Muslim in the Buleleng region which is pretty much North Bali including areas such as Singaraja. The book is quite scholarly in its approach and language which marks it as being quite different to most other books about Balinese culture and religion which are generally travel based guides and journals.
This book is a fascinating book to read for any religious studies scholar or anyone interested in Balinese culture. It presents accounts of a basic quality of the subjective world in which Bali-Hindus partake, like a world of immaterial entities and forces as much as one of material objects, a world of invisible agents that surround their daily lives and even a world alive with gods and spirits, ogres and holy priests (p. 192).
What I wonder, although the writer doesn’t master the local language, he is so successful in describing the culture, social life, economical and religious aspects of Bali Hindu Muslim societies in Jembrana, Pagatepan, the Balinese Muslim community, Buleleng, non Muslim community and in Prabakula Hindu village.