BALINESE PEOPLE`S BEHAVIOR HAS CHANGED : ACADEMIC

Denpasar, Indonesia, Sept 4 (ANTARA) - Balinese people have over the past few years undergone behavioral changes as a result of modernization and globalization, an academic said.

A lecturer at Denpasar's State Hindu Dharma Institute, Prof I Nengah Duija, said here Friday the behavioral changes were marked by the frequent occurrence of violence.

"The behavioral changes of the Balinese people are marked by various acts of violence such as gang fights," said the anthropologist at the Denpasar State Hindu Dharma Institute.

He added besides gang fights, suicides, abortions, and sexual deviation among teenagers were increasing and getting out of hands on the resort island of Bali.

Therefore, Nengah Duija said various efforts should be made to instill moral and religious values in the younger generation.

He said the behavioral changes could lead to disharmony in the family, and reduce mutual trust among the people, and social institutions.

"Following the behavioral changes, it is time for the people of Bali to look back into their past and reminisce about their positive moral and religious values," Nengah Duija said.

The past, according to him was the self reflection of oral traditions which had been overrun by modernization and globalization.

He said the behavioral changes should be dealt with by encouraging the young generation of Bali to think of their traditions and culture in the community.

Every community in Bali, according to him, has different root of tradition and culture in accordance with language, religion, and geographic location.

"Even a new tradition can be born if the local community are able to have full and total comprehension of the mystery of their surrounding environment," Nengah Duija said. ***