Nyepi Eve Celebrations in Ubud

“The Balinese idea of purification rituals, so often related to performance, is to reset the balances in the universe and stop the evil spirits from dominating our existence.”*

Oguy-ogoh in the parade the day before Nyepi on Bali

On Bali, the day before the Day of Silence (Nyepi) which marks the start of the Balinese New Year, rituals begin with offerings at Hindu temples. I was fortunate enough to be in Ubud this month for it. The offerings were followed by the Ngrupuk parade featuring giant, scary figures made of bamboo and paper known as Ogoh-ogoh, effigies of Butha Kala (evil earth spirits). The effigies were paraded through the streets accompanied by loud clanging music to draw out evil spirits in hopes that they would follow the giant representations of themselves. After the parade, they awarded the teams with the most impressive Ogoh-ogoh. Traditionally the figures are burned symbolizing the destruction of negativity and the cleansing of the island before the silence of Nyepi the following day. However the final ritual I saw involved burning coconut husks as boys jumped through the fire occasionally tossing husks at each other. It may have been a Sanghyang Jaran dance.

* Rubin, L., & Sedana, I. N. (2007). Performance in Bali. Routledge [PDF].

A band warming up for the parade

Ogoh-ogoh in the Ngrupuk parade

Parade spectators in the rain

Water purification ritual

Ngrupuk parade

Organizing for the Ngrupuk parade

Youth jumping over burning coconuts the night of the Ngrupuk parade

Youth jumping over burning coconuts the night of the Ngrupuk parade