Bali’s Day of Silence is quickly approaching us and that means it’s time to stock up on provisions and prepare as if the zombie apocalypse is only a matter of hours away. The event I’m referring to is Nyepi, Bali’s Hindu new year, which happens to fall on this upcoming Saturday, March 21st, 2015. If you’re coming to Bali this week or are already here and are asking yourself, “Nyep-who?”, don’t panic! It’s not too late to brush up on your cultural knowledge and this post has you covered. Here we give you the lowdown on what this unique holiday is all about, what to see in the days leading up to Nyepi, and tips on how to make the most out of the island’s Day of Silence.
What is Nyepi exactly?
According to the lunar Saka Calendar, the Balinese year ends and begins on the first new moon after mid-March, or the 9th month of the calendar year. Similar to other cultures, the Balinese Hindus celebrate the end of the year with lots of noise and music and parades and lights. Not so similar is how they celebrate New Year’s Day, the Day of Silence. On this one day of the year, everything in Bali comes to an abrupt, tropical stop. Intended to keep the balance of spirits in harmony, something considered crucial to the religious customs of the Balinese, this day is one for self-reflection, purification and new beginnings. Nobody works, the international airport shuts down and the streets are virtually empty; it is mandatory to stay inside of your accommodation, even for tourists. While some visitors see this national holiday as a burden on their precious vacation time, others see it as a chance to cozy up with close friends and family and appreciate their surroundings. The good news is that before and after Nyepi is a stretch of cultural events that only a few are so lucky to catch glimpses of.
Long story short, Nyepi can be broken down into two parts: Nyepi Eve and Nyepi Day.
What events lead up to the Nyepi Day of Silence?
• Melasti Ceremony: Three days ahead of the Silent Day, the locally crafted statues of gods, referred to as Ogoh-ogoh, are removed from the temples and paraded to the river or the ocean, where they are bathed and cleaned before returning back to the temple. The ideology behind this ritual is that this cleanses and purifies the souls of the Balinese Hindus. The best place to watch this purification procession is on the beach in Nusa Dua, Seminyak, Sanur or Kuta.
• Nyepi Eve aka the “Day of Great Sacrifices”: At around 4pm on the day before Nyepi (March 20th this year), communities all over Bali congregate to offer gifts and food to the Ogoh-ogoh, the menacing papier-mâché effigies that represent evil spirits and bad traits. Following this offering period (around the time of sunset) is the grand procession of ngrupuk, where these statues are lifted up high on the shoulders of men dressed in traditional garb and carried down the street to the drumming beat of gamelan music and fire torches. Afterwards, before midnight, the effigies are torched to rid the town of the demons. Beginning at 6am the next day is when the silence all over the island begins.
••• Where should I go to watch the Ogoh-ogoh procession?: Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur and Ubud are some of the best places to watch the Ogoh-ogoh parades. But every town and village participates in this festival so you won’t miss it wherever you are.
Why can’t I go outside on Nyepi Day?
Essentially, the silence of activity is a form of hide and seek. After the villagers scare away the demons with noise and a fiery parade, they hide inside their homes in silence to fool the spirits into thinking that the island of Bali has been deserted, causing them to flee for another year. At the same time, it is a chance to meditate in silence and darkness for an entire day, namely from 6am-6am the next day (March 21st-22nd, 2015).
How strict are the rules to stay inside your accommodation?
Local religious police, known as Pecalang, monitor the neighborhoods to ensure that the national holiday is being respected and followed. If you do get tempted and want to witness the empty streets for yourself, you will be promptly asked to return to your home.
Do’s and Don’ts:
If you were ever forced to be confined to one place for an entire day, wouldn’t a Bali villa just about be your dream location? Here are a few tips for making the most of your Silent Day:
• Do:
• Stock up on your favorite foods and drinks
• Read a good book & catch up on your sleep
• Teach yourself something new: a few words of a language, card game, recipe, get creative!
• Stay inside the perimeter of your villa
• Practice the art of yoga and meditation – might as well take advantage of this dedicated self-reflection time
• Look up at the sky. If it’s a clear night, the sky will be full of stars due to the lack of light elsewhere on the island
• Don’t:
• Be outside of your villa between the hours of 6am on Nyepi Day until 6am the next morning
• Make loud noise or play music that others could hear
• Use electricity unless it’s an emergency. Instead, set the mood and light candles around the room. Just make sure you close your curtains to stay hidden from the outside world
What about after the Day of Silence? Are there any events?
• “Omed-Omedan”, also known as the “Kissing Festival”: On the day after Nyepi, communities gather (mostly in the Denpasar area) and celebrate the passion of new beginnings and new love. Watch as priests dump buckets of water over couples as they kiss to ensure good health and ward off bad luck from the village.
SELAMAT HARI RAYA NYEPI EVERYONE!
Photo sources: blog.icbali.com, sentanabalitour.com, photo.sf.co.ua
