Lately, I feel like the class has changed a lot or maybe I have just gained a different understanding of what we have been doing all along. It is not just a class about classical Asian performance. It is a class about togetherness, unity, community, communication and many other things. I think I have realized this through all the conversations we have had about the banjar and in the banjar itself. That everyone contributes a part of themselves and that the others in the banjar actually take an interest and care about the troubles or thoughts of the others is a unique experience. This type of society organization is so different from the western way of governing a society. From a practical perspective I think it would be very difficult, if not impossible to apply this technique of governance and common rule to western countries. The communities are just too big and disconnected. We all have fish to fry, and the banjar gives each person the opportunity to share and to be helped by the others in the community. The individual, as well as the whole is important. If one person has an issue, like we saw in class, it many help that person and also benefit the banjar if the issue is spoken out loud. The things that affect an individual will also impact the banjar.

It was my birthday this weekend, and in class this came to attention. I do not like to be in the center of attention, and this was literally what happened. I felt uncomfortable at first, but when the circle closed in on me and chanted for me I felt good. It was relaxing to have so many voices around me. It almost felt like I was inside an enclosed space, like a bubble of some kind. It was an interesting experience!