Balinese New Year - Nyepi

Saturday is Nyepi, New Year’s day in Bali (but nowhere else in Indonesia). Balinese culture is a wonderful mix of Hinduism and local lore. The day before, there are massive ceremonies in every village to fool the demons and drive them away. Weeks before, groups construct effigies, many 20 feet tall, brightly painted and scary. These paper mache effigies are beautiful but destined to be burned at the end of the ceremony. People will bang drums and make chaotic rackets to get the demon ogo ogos to leave. Then on Nyepi, there is silence. Nyepi is a day of silence and mediation. It is illegal to go outside (including tourists in hotels). If you are found outside, you are arrested. The airport is totally shut down for 24 hours. There is no internet (OMG!). No television. You are not supposed to turn on lights, make a fire, or make any noise. Most tourists flee Bali before Nyepi. We are looking forward to experiencing it. (Check out Nyepi on Wikipedia)Read more