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Gender, Childhood, and Politics in Balinese Music Ensembles: New Perspectives On

Aleksandr Pushkin

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Published in Gamelan Girls: Gender Childhood And Politics In Balinese Music Ensembles (New Perspectives On Gender In Music)

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Balinese music ensembles are a vibrant and dynamic part of Balinese culture. They are found in every village and town on the island, and they play a vital role in religious ceremonies, social gatherings, and other events.

Gamelan Girls: Gender, Childhood, and Politics in Balinese Music Ensembles (New Perspectives on Gender in Music)

by Terry Carter

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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While much research has been conducted on the music of these ensembles, relatively little attention has been paid to the role of gender and childhood in shaping their musical practices. This paper explores this relationship by examining the ways in which gender and age shape the musical roles that children and adults play, and how these roles are influenced by the political and social context in which the ensembles operate.

Gender and Musical Roles

Gender is a significant factor in shaping the musical roles that children and adults play in Balinese music ensembles. In general, men play the more prestigious and demanding instruments, while women play the less prestigious and less demanding instruments. This division of labor is based on the traditional Balinese belief that men are superior to women.

There are a number of reasons why men are given the more prestigious musical roles. First, men are considered to be more physically strong than women, and they are therefore better able to play the larger and heavier instruments. Second, men are considered to be more intelligent than women, and they are therefore better able to learn the complex musical patterns that are required to play the more demanding instruments. Third, men are considered to be more authoritative than women, and they are therefore better able to lead the ensemble.

While the division of labor between men and women in Balinese music ensembles is based on traditional beliefs, it is also influenced by the political and social context in which the ensembles operate. In recent years, there has been a growing movement for gender equality in Bali, and this movement has led to some changes in the way that gender is constructed in music ensembles. For example, some ensembles have begun to allow women to play the more prestigious instruments, and some ensembles have even begun to be led by women.

Childhood and Musical Roles

Childhood is another important factor in shaping the musical roles that children and adults play in Balinese music ensembles. In general, children are given the less prestigious and less demanding musical roles. This division of labor is based on the traditional Balinese belief that children are not yet fully developed, and they are therefore not yet capable of playing the more prestigious and demanding instruments.

There are a number of reasons why children are given the less prestigious musical roles. First, children are considered to be less physically strong than adults, and they are therefore not yet able to play the larger and heavier instruments. Second, children are considered to be less intelligent than adults, and they are therefore not yet able to learn the complex musical patterns that are required to play the more demanding instruments. Third, children are considered to be less authoritative than adults, and they are therefore not yet able to lead the ensemble.

While the division of labor between children and adults in Balinese music ensembles is based on traditional beliefs, it is also influenced by the political and social context in which the ensembles operate. In recent years, there has been a growing movement for children's rights in Bali, and this movement has led to some changes in the way that childhood is constructed in music ensembles. For example, some ensembles have begun to allow children to play the more prestigious instruments, and some ensembles have even begun to be led by children.

Politics and Musical Roles

Politics also plays a significant role in shaping the musical roles that children and adults play in Balinese music ensembles. The political context in which an ensemble operates can influence the way that gender and childhood are constructed, and this can in turn influence the way that musical roles are assigned.

For example, in some Balinese villages, there is a strong tradition of political patronage. In these villages, the local leaders have a great deal of influence over the music ensembles, and they can use this influence to shape the way that gender and childhood are constructed. This can in turn lead to changes in the way that musical roles are assigned.

In other Balinese villages, there is a strong tradition of community participation. In these villages, the music ensembles are more accountable to the community, and they are less likely to be influenced by the local leaders. This can lead to a more egalitarian distribution of musical roles, with women and children being given more opportunities to play the more prestigious and demanding instruments.

Gender, childhood, and politics are all significant factors in shaping the musical roles that children and adults play in Balinese music ensembles. The way that gender and childhood are constructed in a particular ensemble is influenced by the political and social context in which the ensemble operates. This can in turn lead to changes in the way that musical roles are assigned.

In recent years, there have been some changes in the way that gender and childhood are constructed in Balinese music ensembles. These changes are due in part to the growing movements for gender equality and children's rights in Bali. These movements have led to a more egalitarian distribution of musical roles, with women and children being given more opportunities to play the more prestigious and demanding instruments.

Gamelan Girls: Gender, Childhood, and Politics in Balinese Music Ensembles (New Perspectives on Gender in Music)

by Terry Carter

5 out of 5