FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HARMONIOUS CROSS-MARRIAGES BETWEEN THE BALINESE AND THE CHINESE IN BALI

Chinese and Balinese are two different ethnicities. Many Chinese people participate in the local Desa Pakraman in Bali which constitutes (the social identity) of the Balinese people. It can be assumed that the strong relations between the two are based on ethnic stereotypes, i.e. their subjective view about their ethnicity. This article discusses the stereotypes of both ethnic groups with regard to the occurrences of crossed-marriage and togetherness of the two different ethnic groups in the Desa Pakraman in Bali. The results of the analysis indicate that ethnic stereotyping in relation to the crossed-marriage and togetherness between Balinese and Chinese in the Desa Pakraman is based on certain views shaped by both of them. The views include consideration of physical features (beautiful, handsome), economic aspect, attitude, and social behaviour. In choosing a future husband or wife, they always have physical orientations, i.e. whether she is beautiful or he is handsome. However, if their physical orientations do not match, values of other aspects (economy, religion, and attitude) are taken into consideration so that crossed-marriage between the two different ethnic groups takes place. It is interesting to note that in terms of their togetherness in the Desa Pakraman, both the Balinese and Chinese have certain reasons to preserve such a condition as part of their traditions inherited from their ancestors. They thought that although they belong to different ethnicities, they still feel that they belong to one ‘family’. This is quite possible because they are an advocate to Buddhism which has several similarities to the Balinese Hinduism which is the main religion of the majority of people in Bali. Key words: stereotypes, crossed-marriage.