A. Ottino Origin myths, hierarchical order, and the negotiation of ...

Status in the Balinese Village of Trunyan 495
phrodite combining both male and female aspects, the elder brother is thus
opposed to his younger sister, while at the same time encompassing her. In
this respect, the figure of the hermaphrodite elder brother displays all the
features associated with the progenitor line defined in terms of a woman's
patrilines.
/
elder brother
(male)
hermaphrodite
elder brother
(male+male +female)
younger sister
(female)
Figure 1. Nature of the relations in the elder brother / younger sister dyad.
The elder brother / younger sister dyad conveys notions of origin that are
of relevance to the social organization of Trunyan, but (again in contrast
with what is the norm in Bali) is not considered to be conducive to the
continuity of life. The hermaphrodite characteristics of the elder brother
ensure that an act of incest, from which ancient Balinese dynasties traditionally
traced their origin, is impossible in this case. In order for life to
continue, the elder brother / younger sister pair needs a third element, a
genitor from the outside. Until its arrival, society remains as yet inexistent,
although the preconditions for it are there. What the elder brother /
younger sister dyad does, is provide the model for a hierarchical order
which is equated with the cosmological order. However, in contrast to the
previous dyad, which provided the model for a universal order encompassing
the entire village society, the dyad is concerned with establishing
the nature of the relations between origin groups within this society.
Myth B. First alliance and foundation of Trunyan
The king of Solo, Central Java, had four children: three sons and a
daughter, his youngest child. The four siblings came to Bali, attracted by
the perfume of the benzoin tree. They landed on the eastern coast, in
Karangasem, then travelled north to Gunung Batur. Upon arriving in
the region of Batur, the younger sister decided to settle in Pura Batur,
where she still resides today under the name Ratu Ayu Mas Maketeg.
Her three brothers continued their journey to the shores of the lake. The
youngest brother settled in Kedisan and the middle brother in Abang
Dukuh. The eldest brother moved on. Eventually he came to where the
benzoin tree stood. There he saw the daughter of a goddess and,
overcome with passion, united with her under the tree. He then went to
her hermaphrodite elder brother to request his permission to marry his