In Bali a lot more than you’d imagine. When you first arrive, you will probably notice that a surprising number of people you meet a named Wayan, Made, Nyoman or Ketut. This is because all Balinese, regardless of sex, a given one of four names corresponding to them birth order: Wayan or Putu for the firstborn, Kadek or Made for the second, Nyoman, Komang or Koming for the third and Ketut for the fourth. It there are more than four children in a family, the names is repeated. In recent years, however a family planning campaign in Bali has resulted in smaller family, which mane the name Ketut and Nyoman a being use less frequently. Of course, so many people with the same first name can make communicating in group situation pretty complicated. But may Balinese, particularly man, also have a nick name that is used casually by their coworkers and friends. These nick name are usually given by parents during childhood and often refer to something the child resembled: Wayan Godogan ( Frog ), Made Termos ( Thermos ), Wayan Glebet ( Falling ) a few examples.

In addition to the publicly used name, Balinese have a unique private name that is given by a Balian (priest) at the Telu Bulan ritual, accurse three month after birth. Very often this name is unknown even to people who have daily contact with each other. Even if this name is known, it’s usually considered impolite to call someone by it. A farther layer is added because of bali caste system, which adds title that precede full names. Member of the highest caste, the Brahmana (priest), use the title Ida Bagus form Male and Ida Ayu for female. The higher nobility who were formers warrior prince rulers of the island and are now part of the Satria caste, use title such as Tjokorda, Anak Agung and Dewa. The Wesya, members of the formers lower nobility reserved for merchants, use the title Gusti. These three upper castes are collectively known as the Tri Wangsa. All other Balinese or about 90% of the population are part of the caste of farmers and artisans known as Sudra, which translates to “outside the court” ( of course members of this caste aren’t always farmers or artisan these days ).the title use in this caste are I for males and Ni or Luh for females. The caste system was brought to Bali in the 50^th Century by Majapahit rulers, and today all Balinese except the Baliaga, who retain ancient Balinese customs are born in to one the four castes (some Sudras argue that because the system is not indigenous to the island, it should be eliminated). Three different varieties of the balinese language correspond to the caste differences between speakers. High Balinese is use when speaking to superiors ( who use low Balinese to reply). Middle Balinese is the polite form, use to address strangers ; and low Balinese is use when speaking to friend and equals. In order to determine which form of the language to use, some older Balinese will ask a new acquaintance, “where do you sit” ( Nunas antuk linggih ) means what is your caste. Instead of asking for a name.