FROM THE EYES SIGHT TO THE WEDDING UNTIL THE CUSTOMARY VILLAGE A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF A BALINESE AND A CHINESE IN BALI

There are several reasons that become the background of the mixed marriage and the togetherness of a Balinese and a Chinese in the customary village (Desa Pakraman). The mixed marriage between a Balinese and a Chinese descendant in Bali is due to five aspects of life that become the primary focus in making decisions. The five aspects are beauty/handsomeness, social-economical condition, diversity, basic attitude, and social behavior. Among these aspects, beauty/handsomeness and social-economic conditions are the most crucial aspects. However, if the judgments of the related parties declare inequality, the other aspects may be an equalizer in order to make a decision to hold a marriage.

The togetherness of a Balinese and a Chinese in the customary village is based on the curiosity of both parties to maintain the tradition of their ancestors that has had mixed marriage and togetherness in the customary village since a long time ago. In addition to this reason, each party has its own purposes. The Balinese, on one hand, aims at gaining support from the Chinese to strengthen the customary village as their cultural capital and their identity symbol. On the other hand, the Chinese are willing to gain support from Balinese to get safety and land for shelter, graveyard, worship place as their cultural capital and identity symbol. In terms of gaining support, the Balinese seem to interpret the customary village as a means to gain support from Chinese, meanwhile the Chinese interpret it as social capital and cultural capital that they aim using economic capital, such as money or things to be donated to the customary village.