Tuesday, 21 May 2013

Balinese names

While researching for my trip to Bali, I noticed the name Wayan came up many time. There was Wayan the guide, Wayan the driver, Wayan the owner. There were shops, restaurants and guesthouses named after Wayan. And I thought to myself, who is this Wayan guy, he sure sounded rich and is everywhere in Bali holding different jobs. Wow but it can't be right. So I did a wiki search on Balinese name and found out there are 4 essential names in a Balinese family. Wayan means the first born in the family. Followed by Made or Kedah for the second born, Nyoman for the third born and Ketut for the fourth born. So if there is a fifth child, what would be his name? Accoring to wiki, it would be Wayan Balik (or Wayan "again"). Very interesting. There is no record of the sixth child name in wiki, so would the child be call Wayan Balik Balik or Made Balik or do they stop at five? Anyway it just explained that the Wayan in my research were different persons. But it make it all the more confusing, right? What if I am lost and I shout for my guide, Wayan, how many heads would turn? Maybe I shall try.

Reminded me of the childhood game called Where's Wally?


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