New Ruling Accords Balinese Women Rights to Inheritance

Denpasar. The century-old patriarchal traditions that govern Balinese family life were on Wednesday amended to finally grant women the right to inherit assets from their parents.

The High Council of Customary Villages (MUDP), the highest authority on Balinese traditional regulations, issued the ruling.

“This is a significant development in the 110 years [since traditional values were formally regulated] during which Balinese women were not entitled to a single rupiah of inheritance,” said Wayan Windia, head of research and development at the council.

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‘Ethnicity Now’: much wishful thinking

Expectations were set high for the exhibition “Ethnicity Now”, currently on show at the National Gallery — particularly because of the tagline below the title linking Ethnicity to Indonesian Contemporary Art.

But sadly, the show turned out to be a disappointment.

It seems the organizers and the show’s curator were carried away by an increasingly strong vision in the art world that acknowledges the cultural and the local in contemporary art.

For me, the local, traditional or ethnic for that matter, must challenge the creative, innovative, imaginative and artistic forces of an artist to create fascinating forms and shapes that, while breathing a touch or trace of its original heritage, are basically new, d

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