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Published: March 31st 2014
Several weeks before Balinese New Year or Nyepi, youth groups get together and plan the construction of 'Ogoh-Ogoh'. They are giant, scary figures formed on bamboo frames, intricately woven with wire and then covered with paper mache. They are made in the form of creatures of the underworld known in Balinese as 'buta kala'. The creatures are based on characters taken from traditional myths and legends, however, in modern times many also take the form of modern characters. It is a challenging project and the first step is to raise the funds to pay for the project. On the eve of Nyepi, the figures are paraded around the streets, with main roads closed off, many people come to see the parade. It can take up to 30 people to carry one figure.Often electric wires have to be raised with bamboo poles. Gamelon musicians play traditional music and dancers also perform. These figures are judged and the winner receives a prize. After being paraded , the giant figures are ceremoniously burnt to represent the destruction of the demons on earth. The following day is a day of silence, no one is allowed out in the street. All food is prepared the day
JALAN KAJENG
This is the street my home stay is on & was constructed at the bottom of the street with donations from many localsbefore, as no cooking is allowed, only hot water for coffee or tea. The home stay staff go back to their village a day or two before Nyepi to be with their families. One to two days before Nyepi, everyone is required to go with their family/village to the sea to be blessed. I was fortunate to be down at the beach for the weekend and witnessed the 'purification' ceremony on the beach. Balinese take this holiday very seriously.
On Nyepi, I awoke to the sounds of birds singing and roosters crowing, no cars, motorbikes, planes, or people speaking loudly, we are asked to speak quietly. The airport is closed down for the day, no lights are to be used in the evening. I am truly enjoying the day, it feels very spiritual. We are allowed to swim in the pool, use our computers and Kindle, it feels good to be quiet and use the day to reflect and contemplate my going home next weekend. I have been here for over two months and I will have a cultural adjustment returning, no doubt. It's a given each year I go to S.E. Asia and return......I am excited to be
End of the parade
This little one helped carry one of the figures! back with my family and friends once again.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Do you how many types of rice Bali once produced? Answer: 6,000.TODAY, Bali produces 1,000........
For all of you who have left 'comments' on TravelBlog, I big thank you! These comments have touched my heart in a big way! I've been very far from my home and it's heartwarming to hear from you!
For now, this is my very last blog! I hope you have enjoyed sharing my journey, it has been one amazing, incredible, fascinating time in South East Asia......wonderful time with Scott and Xander in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and eight weeks on Bali. 'God willin' and the crick don't rise, I hope to return next year'....... 'NAMESTE' (Plse scroll down to see more photos)
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Mary Watts
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