Nyepi: The Silence of New Year in Bali
1:12 PM
Bali is always the centre of hustle and bustle of the
tourism. Its well-known unique nature and culture successfully seizes the
tourists’ attention around the world. However, imagine that the buzz of this
crowded city will eventually stop for one day. It is twenty-four-hours total
silence. It is like an empty town which what the zombie movies always depict.
There will be no people walking on the street, no people working, no people is
allowed to have fun, even every gates to enter Bali are closed, including
airport and harbor. Besides, absolutely, there will be zero pollution and letting the earth breath in peace for one day. In the night, you could only listen to the whoosh of a
gentle breeze and look up to the sky watching the beautiful stars and enjoying
this universe in tranquility. This day is what we call as Nyepi.
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| This is what it looks like on Nyepi Day. The picture was taken at The Ground Zero, Kuta, Bali Source: theatlantic.com |
Nyepi literally means silence. Nyepi is actually one of the traditional
ceremonies held by Balinese to celebrate çaka1 new year. Unlike the
other celebrations of New Year throughout the world which are full of euphoria,
firework and joy, Bali commemorates New Year in a different way. It is by doing
a contemplation and refraining from indulgence and any daily activities. This
ceremony actually has been celebrated from the Majapahit Era.
Basically, there
are four things that are strongly prohibited during Nyepi: not allowed to
ignite the light or fire (Amati Geni),
not allowed to engage in any form of entertainment (Amati lelanguan), not allowed to work (Amati karya), and not allowed to go outside from house (Amati lelungaan). The idea is to
re-purify the body and soul from what we have done in previous year in order to
improve for the better New Year ahead. Briefly, it is a kind of self-reflection
to be prepared in welcoming the New Year.
Moreover, prior to Nyepi, there is a series of traditional
ceremonies. The Hindus believe that this life is made by the macrocosm which is
the universe and microcosm which is our body. Before welcoming the New Year, it
is necessary to cleanse both the nature and the humans. This is then
represented by holding Melasti ceremony. The Hindus will flock to pray and give
offerings to the source of water.
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| Melasti Ceremony in Tanah Lot, Bali Source: trekearth.com |
Furthermore, right before Nyepi day itself, there is a
parade of effigies symbolizing the evil. This is called as Pengerupukan. This day, the evil spirit and all negative vibrancy
will be dispelled and neutralized. It is symbolized by spreading rice of tawur, lighting the house and all the
yards with torch, and pummel anything to make noises. Most importantly is the
parade of Ogoh-ogoh before the sunset.
The youths will altogether carry the giant puppets which represents the evils. The parade is also accompanied by the gamelan music. After the parade, they will burn the evil as if we burn the evil spirit away
from our souls.
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| Ogoh-Ogoh is carried in a parade on Pengerupukan Day Source: Exploringbali.net |
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| Another Ogoh-Ogoh on Gajah Mada Street, Bali Source: anggaramahendra.wordpress.com |
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| The children carry a fiery bamboo torch, it is then used to burn Ogoh-Ogoh Source: okawisnawa.com |
More interestingly, there is also one unique tradition the day after the silence of Nyepi. There is an exictement of kissing Festival called Omed-omedan, solely held in Sesetan village. This ritual is
believed to ensure good health and prosperity to all those taking part, as well
as protecting the village from bad luck during the year ahead. This ritual had
ever been stopped, meanwhile, there is an epidemic suffering this village, thus
it is then continued until now. The participants are unmarried people which are
actually not a couple at that time, but many of them will end into a marriage.
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| The Omed-omedan Festival Source: dailymail.co.uk |
Nyepi in this year is at the 9th of March 2016. Meanwhile today, I am thousands miles away from Bali. I definitely
could not participate to all of those classic traditions here. I could only contemplate and
make me realize that Bali will never fail to make me impressed. Its strong
religious atmosphere easily blend with tradition and way of life. It is still
preserved even in this modernity. I wish that this New Year brings more harmony
in life, more balance between the good and bad energy, even spreading the echo
of peace and wisdom.
..because sometimes, just as Philisopher Francis Bacon said:
“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom”
Rahajeng Rahina Nyepi.
1Çaka
is the calendar system which is based on lunar and solar cycle. The Çaka year
is 78 years behind the Gregorian Calendar, at that time, the year is regarded
as the beginning of Saka Era in India.
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