While I was on Lembongan Island, I got to partake in the local new year celebration, Nyepi. Contrary to the westernized version of debauchery and lofty New Year's resolutions, the Balinese version is several days of colorful Hindu religious ceremonies followed by a day of silence. I got to experience Tawur Kesanga, on the day before Nyepi, a ceremony of exorcism in the center of the village. Locals constructed large "Ogoh-Ogoh" (monsters or evil spirits) that represent evils that we must remove from our lives, which were paraded around the island and brought to the town center. At sunset, everyone gathered for a display of drums and wailing rituals as the different evil spirits in costume enacted a battle.
The following day, the day of silence, involved a very strict no-activity policy that was enforced by local security guards. No-one (locals or tourists) were allowed to leave the house, use electricity, cook, etc. Wayan explained Nyepi to me as a day to trick the evil spirits into thinking that Bali was deserted. He said that it was also a day of deep self introspection into the past, present, and future, and a day to revisit important morals such as respect, patience, love, and kindness and each individuals resolve to improve in these areas. I loved the concept and felt really lucky to experience the most important holiday in Balinese culture!
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| bikes and Balinese offerings |
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| with Wayan, surf extraordinaire |
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| one last sunset in Nusa Lembongan |
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