This Saturday is the Balinese Hindus’ New Year’s Day called Nyepi. During this Day of Silence, the entire island of Bali is closed. No planes are allowed to take off or land, and no traffic is allowed on the streets including pedestrian traffic. The Day of Silence starts at 6:00 am on Saturday, March 17th and ends 24 hours later. This is New Year’s Day on the Hindu Saka Calendar, so Nyepi falls on different days on the Gregorian calendar, but always in either March or April.
Stay Inside
Balinese stay home with their families or meditate in temples. Tourists caught outside of their hotel compound by the village pecalang (guards/officers) will be sent to their rooms. Indonesians caught will be fined. I assume local Balinese will also receive the harsher punishment of disappointed looks from their fellow villagers.
No Electricity
Last night, our waiter told us the entire island’s wireless network will be shut down. He said it is the most beautiful day for him, and he loves meditating on Nyepi at the temple. He’s 24 years old. One of our drivers who is around the same age, told us he will be gambling at home, and will climb the side fence to his neighbors’ house to visit with them. One of the female hotel employees said she will be staying home to chitchat with her family. She said when she was younger, children could play outside, but the new rules forbid that. No one knows for sure if there will be electricity this year; using electricity is also forbidden. Regardless, outside light is definitely not allowed.
Villages Appear Abandoned
As you might have gathered, it is really important that the entire Bali Island is silent and dark. That is because they are trying to trick some monsters. On New Year’s Eve (tomorrow), there will be parades around the island that end with villagers burning huge papier-mâché monsters called Ogoh-ogoh. For weeks, villagers have been building these huge monsters in their temples. On New Year’s Eve, they will burn and evict these monsters from their village. On New Year’s Day, any remaining monsters must be led to believe that the village has been abandoned, and will choose to leave. That is why it is so important that everyone remains silent, stays indoors, and keeps the lights off.
Monsters Go Up in Flames
If I don’t talk to you over the next couple of days, I’ll talk to you in the new year. Until then, here are some of the things I’ve seen around town that I won’t see on Nyepi. May all the monsters in our lives go up in flames tomorrow night. May we, from then on, enjoy peace and tranquility, and shine from within.
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