The Bali provincial government is drafting a set of incentives for families who name their children Nyoman and Ketut, traditional Balinese names for third and fourth-born children.
The initiative aims to preserve Balinese cultural heritage, as these names have become less common in modern times, and to encourage families to bear more children.
Cultural Preservation Through Policy
Bali Governor Wayan Koster emphasized that the incentives will not be direct cash payments but will instead take the form of education and healthcare programs.
“The incentives will vary—education, healthcare—but not in the form of cash. We are still working on the details, so just wait,” Koster said on Tuesday.
The program is also intended to encourage Hindu Balinese families to have four children, with a stipulation that it does not involve polygamy.
“There will be incentives to encourage families to have four children, but with the condition that they do not take additional wives,” Koster stated.
The decline in the use of Nyoman and Ketut is linked to Indonesia’s two-child family planning policy, which has led many Balinese families to stop at two children, typically named Putu (first-born) and Made (second-born).
Critics argue that Koster’s policy contradicts the national family planning program, which has long promoted a two-child norm to control population growth.
Addressing Population Decline
According to Koster, Bali’s population stands at 4.4 million, representing only 1.6 percent of Indonesia’s total population. The island’s annual population growth rate is 0.66 percent, lower than the national average of 1.04 percent.
“This is a concern for all of us. If we do not protect Balinese culture, including names like Nyoman and Ketut, they will become relics in a museum,” Koster said during his inaugural address at the Bali Regional Council’s plenary session.
Economic and Social Implications
Encouraging larger families may place additional financial burdens on households, particularly in a province where economic disparities remain a concern.
While the governor assures support in education and healthcare, the feasibility and sustainability of such assistance remain uncertain, given the province’s limited resources.
A Step Toward Safeguarding Identity
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Bali government to preserve local traditions. Nyoman and Ketut carry deep philosophical significance in Balinese Hindu culture, and their decline is seen as a threat to Bali’s cultural identity.
“We do not want Balinese culture to fade with time. Nyoman and Ketut are part of our ancestral heritage that must be preserved,” Koster added.
Details on the incentive program, including eligibility criteria and registration mechanisms, are still being finalized. The Bali government aims to roll out the program soon, hoping it will encourage public participation in safeguarding Balinese cultural traditions.
“We hope this initiative is well-received by the public and serves as a tangible step in protecting Bali’s cultural heritage,” Koster concluded.
