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Bali Provincial Government Plans Incentives for Traditional Names Nyoman and Ketut

• 05 Maret 2025
• Traditional
• Denpasar

DENPASAR, NETIZENBALI.COM - The Bali Provincial Government is formulating a series of incentives for individuals named Nyoman and Ketut, traditional Balinese names for the third and fourth children, respectively. This initiative aims to preserve Balinese culture as these names have become less common in the modern era.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster explained that the incentives provided will not be in the form of cash but rather in education and health programs. "The incentives will vary, including education and health benefits, not cash. Don't worry; it is being formulated," Koster said on Tuesday.

Governor Koster emphasized that the incentives aim to encourage Balinese Hindu families to have four children, with the condition that they do not take additional wives. "The incentives will be given to encourage having four children, but with the note that they should not add wives," the Governor stated.

He acknowledged that the two-child Family Planning (KB) program has contributed to the decline in the use of the names Nyoman and Ketut. Currently, most Balinese Hindu families have only two children, usually named Putu (first child) and Made (second child).

According to Governor Koster, Bali's population now stands at 4.4 million, or only 1.6 percent of Indonesia's total population. Bali's annual population growth rate is just 0.66 percent, lower than the national growth rate of 1.04 percent per year.

"This needs to be a collective concern. The slowing population growth and the erosion of Balinese culture, such as the disappearance of the names Nyoman and Ketut, must be safeguarded. Otherwise, these names will only remain in museums," Koster emphasized in his inaugural speech at the Bali Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) Plenary Meeting.

The provision of these incentives is part of the Bali Provincial Government's efforts to preserve local culture and traditions. Names like Nyoman and Ketut hold deep philosophical meanings in Balinese Hindu culture, and their loss is seen as a threat to Bali's cultural identity.

"We do not want Balinese culture to be eroded by time. Names like Nyoman and Ketut are part of our ancestral heritage that must be preserved," said Koster.

The Bali Provincial Government is still formulating the details of the incentive program, including registration mechanisms and recipient criteria. It is hoped that this program can be launched soon to encourage community participation in preserving Balinese culture.

"We hope this program will be well received by the community and be a tangible step in safeguarding Balinese cultural heritage," concluded Governor Koster. (NB)