In Reply to: Hindu Names posted by Allen on Tuesday, 15. February 2005 at 15:59 Bali Time:
My son's wife is known as Dayu, short for Ida Ayu and her brother is Agus, short for Ida Bagus. Only one generation ago, it was virtually essential that members of this family married within their caste. Obviously now it doesn't matter and my son and his family were made welcome. When Ron first told me that Dayu was number one caste, I said I hoped he'd told her that he was too!
The caste is no sure indication of relative wealth, education or economic status and it seems to be getting more common for people to marry according to mutual love and attraction, rather than simply keeping within their caste. Although you can still hear some sad stories of pressure being put on young people by some of the more traditional, old-fashioned, [what would you call it?] families, when they have given their hearts to someone who is regarded as not acceptable, simply on the basis of caste.