| Story
of Bali, Indonesia
Two
traditional
cultural
events each
involving
emotional
expression
characteristic
of Balinese
are cock-fights
for men
and temple offerings by women. They illustrate
ways in
which Balinese
manifest
and express
emotions
(in these behaviors).
In both types
of events,
emotions
are expressed
both overtly
in characteristic
behaviors
and internally
without
outward
expression.
At the climax
of the event,
emotional responses appear to be internally expressed.
There
are several
descriptions
of cock-fights in Bali (Bateson and Mead, 1942; C. Geertz,
1966, 1973; and Covarrubias, 1937). The authors' focus
is on the feelings
evoked in Balinese
male participants
in the event,
their sequential progression, and their patterns of
expression.
The authors attended and studied cock-fights in 1988-90
on the outskirts of Denpasar and in villages in the
township of Gianyar. One of the Gianyar cock-fights
was held in an unobtrusive open area among village houses,
reached by a maze-like path. About 100 men of all ages,
but primarily younger adults, gathered in a packed circle
around a central area (kalangan) about 4 metres in diameter,
with a few schoolboys perched on a wall. In keeping
with tradition, no women were present except those selling
snacks and drinks on the periphery.
During
an anticipatory
period before
the fights,
the men squatted
in the, kalangan
testing
the cocks'
reactions
to each other.
Suddenly,
the kalangan
was cleared
and a man quietly solicited money from persons who were
supporters
of the cock owners. Two men finished
binding
each cock's leg spur with a four-inch
long, narrow,
polished,
razor-sharp, dagger shaped knife. Two owners
brought
their cocks
into the kalangan and suddenly the audience
began a torrent
of loud shouting and gesticulation to attract partners
with whom to make bets. They resembled
the frantic behaviors
of traders on a stock
market or commodity
exchange floor.
After several
minutes, the
excitement subsided,
and the cocks were positioned opposite each other and
released. Immediately they began fighting, displaying
erect neck feathers, and jumping on each other. In less
than 90 seconds, one had plunged his knife into the
other; the cock fell dead, bleeding on the spot.
During the fight, the audience leaned quietly forward,
shoulder pressed tightly against shoulder, eyes intently
fixed on the fighting cocks. The mounting tension they
experienced was expressed through various facial expressions
and in a chorus of groans emitted according to approval
or disapproval of the action of a cock.
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