Balinese Caste System

A System Which Later Play Part on the Development on The Culture

First of all this system is not as strict as it used to be, eventough it is still being followed and maintain till now, but it has adapting into the modern life. The Caste system are just a pat of the culture, not to divide the strata of life of the people.
The System are part of the feudal structure before the Indonesian Independence, and all the kingdom in Bali integrated into the Indonesia Government.

The Caste System are divided into 4 which are Brahmana, Ksatria, Waisya, and Sudra . It is also believe that this caste system are derived from the Veda and also a bit similar to those in Indian Society.

• Brahmana
  This is consider one of the highest caste in the Balinese System. Those in the Brahmana Caste and their descendant are considered to a group of people who has a better capacity to become the highest priest. Their duty is to lead religious side of The Balinese people. Whenever there are big ceremony, or any ceremony, one might call this high priest to come and lead the ceremony and giving the blessing.

The priests leading a ceremony
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• Ksatria
  Or The Knight are next in the caste system. They are the ruler or any warriors during the Kingdom Era. The King of all the Balinese Kingdoms are falls into this caste. Eventough they are the ruler of the kingdom and also the most of the people, still they are behind the Brahmana in the Caste system. During the Kingdom Era, there are several Kingdom in the island, they were not getting along well, before being conquered by the Dutch. The Dutch kept those respective Kingdom, to keep away the civil unrest.

One of The Balinese Kings with several knight around
Source

• Waisya
  This caste are the main power of the Balinese Economy. They are the merchant who keeps the economy going. This caste are mixed up with the Sudra Caste in the modern life. Because everyone can become a merchant nowadays no matter which caste they are belong to.

• Sudra
  This is the lowest caste in the Balinese Caste system. Those who falls into this caste are the slave or the common people which has a small influence in the overall system in Bali. Most of the Balinese are falls into this caste, in this modern life they can do any kind of activities or become richer or having a good influence in the modern life.

the modern balinese on the market
Source
Those caste system later will influence the Language for the Balinese Tribe and also the naming system for Balinese. The Balinese language are also divided into several degree of politeness, and can only be use by and for selected caste.

How about your tribe or country, does it still has the caste system?