Sambingssetningar

Sambingssetningar is a term used in Balinese Hinduism to describe a specific social role or class of individuals. In the Balinese caste system, the term sambingssetninger is used to refer to men who have sex with men, although the term is often associated with a broader range of non-heteronormative practices.

Historically, the Balinese caste system was influenced by the mainland Indian system, which is based on the concept of varna. However, unlike mainland India, the Balinese system is primarily local in origin, and while the terms were adopted, they were used in unique ways. The term sambingssetninger is associated with men who do not conform to the traditional male roles in society.

In Balinese society, individuals are often classified based on their occupation, their patron deity, or their ancestral lineage. Individuals who are deemed sambingssetninger are often considered bindu, a term that refers to men who do not observe traditional masculine norms such as marriage and children. Despite this, not all men who engage in sexually non-conformative practices are automatically designated as sambingssetninger in Balinese society. The interpretation and application of this term continue to evolve in contemporary Balinese society.

The role of sambingssetninger within Balinese society has varied throughout its history. During the Hindu Majapahit Empire, the term sambingssetninger is not mentioned, suggesting that this may have been a relatively minor or ambiguous concept. However, by the 15th and 16th centuries, the Balinese had begun to adopt more refined social hierarchies, in which non-traditional expressions of masculinity and femininity seemed to have been acknowledged in distinct social roles.