Social Life In The Villages Of Bali

Each Desa or Banjar is well organized and there is kind of village or Desa council in each village. This council is made of wise men or elders, of the village, is also chosen by popular vote and the Perbekel, or village head, is also chosen by the people. Most of the meeting are held in the Bale Banjar – the village hall- and well being of the village. Subject for discussion may range from the arrangements for the festivals, repairs to the village temple, difficulties in the keeping of peace and order in the village degrees from the central government and for local services, such as the school, bridges and roads.

Decisions at village level are communicated to the district head, who in turn reports back to the central government of the island. there is an island governor who in in turn is responsible to the central government of the Republic.
The village government is found on a primitive democratic system which is fundamental, indeed, to the whole structure of government. The primitive democracy is also expressed in the principle of gotong royong or co-operative selfhelp should a family wish to build a house they will receive help from those in the village not engaged in urgent work of their own. In turn, the family would assist their neighbours should the need arise. Such help is possible in a society which hasn’t yet become specialized, for each man in the village is still able to turn his hand to a variety of fast.

The sense of community is strong and family feeling predominates. This can be expressed harshly. Should a man commit a crime, he is banished from the village he has wronged and won’t be permitted ever to return.

Metajen Diantara Hiruk Pikuk Masyarakat Bali

Metajen atau menyabung ayam adalah hiburan yang mentradisi di Bali. Bukan saja sekedar sabung, tetapi mengundang penonton untuk saling bertaruh, merupakan kejadian yang biasa. Ketika itu masih menggunakan uang kepeng. Pemenang mendapat uang taruhan setelah dipotong pajak untuk para petugas sabungan.
Ayam yang disabung biasanya diberi pisau di kakinya. Ayam yang mati dalam sabungan dianggap kalah. Para penyabung berdatangan dari segala penjuru. Biasanya arena sabung yang terkenal terjadi di Goa Lawah. Metajen ini sempat dilarang habis-habisan karena dianggap ajang judi. Namun masih saja ada masyarakat yang melakukannya.
Namun kini pemerintah daerah setempat kembali mengijinkan metajen untuk tujuan kepariwisataan. Metajen telah dibuat menjadi salah satu tourist destinition dan masuk dalam Tourism schedule. Dan semua unsur judi seperti uang taruhan dihilangkan disini. Jadi metajen murni hanya sebagi hiburan tanpa embel-embel judi. Tapi ini tidak menutup kemungkinan masyarakat Bali masih metajen dengan taruhan.
Ayam taruhan pun sangat diperhatikan kondisi fisiknya oleh pemilik ayam. Baik dari segi makanan, kebersihannya, bahkan mereka juga melakukan suatu ritual tertentu agar ayam taruhan mereka bisa menang.
Ditengah segala bentuk hiburan baru yang bermunculan, metajen masih merupakan yang terfavorit. Memang metajen sudah begitu mendarah daging di masyarakat Bali. Kalau berkunjung di perkampungan-perkampungan Bali, kita masih sering melihat masyarakat setempat metajen di area tempat tinggalnya. Para penonton bersorak-sorak mendukung ayam taruhannya.
Ya, metajen tidak bisa dihilangkan dari keseharian masyarakat Bali.