What are some of the organisations that are structured under
the banjar? Part I
Depending on how active a banjar is, it may support a number
of organizations for members of the banjar. These often include
a youth group, a women’s group, dance groups, gamelan
groups, a singing group and others. More progressive and wealthier
banjar may also double as a village bank or even a store.
A banjar’s youth group is known as Sekeha Teruna Teruni
(STT) – a social group made up of girls and guys who
are as young as 12 years old. Once a member of the STT is
married and has a family, however, they are no longer considered
part of the group.
An STT is structured like many other formal organizations
in Bali. They will have a president (ketua), vice president
(wakil ketua), secretary (sekretaris) and treasurer (bendahara).
For certain events and activities there may also be a committee
that is directed by those formally in the structure. The structure
is normally written on a whiteboard which is hung in the banjar
for all to see.
The STT is responsible for a number of activities, the most
common of which are: fund raising for a variety of events
(normally via ticket selling), organizing parties (bazaar)
and anniversaries (for the youth group and the banjar), youth
gamelan and dance practices, the kite making and kite flying
group and the ogoh-ogoh team.
Since there are so many young people in Bali, a good STT will
really make a banjar come alive. In the month coming up to
Nyepi, in particular, most banjar in Bali will be a-buzz with
members of the STT preparing ogoh-ogoh effigies and practicing
baleganjur gamelan at night.
Banjar that are located near the beach, a tourist spot or
a large public venue will have control and be responsible
for all vehicle parking. Normally the STT take on this task.
As you can see, a banjar grants their STT a fair amount of
responsibility. This is perhaps one of the reasons why the
Balinese banjar system is so strong.
See the next issue of Kulture Kid for more about banjar organizations.
Copyright@ Kulture Kid 2007
You can read all past articles of Kulture Kid at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz
