Nyepi : A silent day in Bali

Bali has many feast day, as of its unique culture and custom. Amongst them is Nyepi or Day of silence. Nyepi is celebrated once a year, every 1st day of the Caka year ( Balinese Calendar ). Hence Nyepi is also marks the New Year for Balinese. Nyepi falling on purwaning tilem ( one day before new moon ), sasih kesanga ( the ninth month ). Nyepi represent the suspension of all activity to chasing out the evil vibration that accumulated during a year. Nyepi is a day of prohibition, stillness and silence. On nyepi, the ambiance of Bali is remarkably silent, and quiet.

The Nyepi itself consist of several procession, three or days before nyepi ( may vary at some region ), there is Melis or Melasti procession. This procession is a purification procession of the Pratima ( effigies, symbolical representation of God manifestation ). The venues of purification are beaches or the Beji ( spring, a water sources ) or river. Why the beaches ?, because Balinese believe that the sea is is a place where impurities are dissolved, it is also can be done at a spring or river, since the water from those places will ends at the sea. During the Melasti or Melis procession, whole villager will took place together on the procession either by walk or by vehicles to the beaches, accompanied by the gamelan.

One day before Nyepi Day is called Pengrupukan which consict of Tawur Kesanga or Mecaru procession and followed by the Ogoh Ogoh festival. Tawur Kesanga usually took place at every village's Catus Pata ( village square ), while at the higher level such as at every regency or province level, it will took place on the at the heart of city or town square. Tawur Kesanga is carried out right at midday when the sun is over the head, it is around 12.00. This Tawur Kesanga procession denotes the symbolical effort on bringing back the balance and harmony of the universe along with its contents. Following the Tawur Kesanga , at the Sandyakala or nightfall, Ngerupuk is is performed on every family houses. All family members taking place on the procession bringing torch and making noise or sound surrounding the house compound and spitting Mesui ( kind of aromatic spice ) at every corner of the house compound. This procession is carried out in order to neutralize the power of evil and bring the nature harmony back and so all family members can live peacefully and in confort to do the Nyepi days the next day.

At the customary village, Ogoh-ogoh or the giant doll in various shapes ( mostly in giant evil demonic figures ) are brought along the village accompanied with Gamelan. This procession is to bring back the evil or Bhutakala to their respective abode so they would not tease and disturbing human life any longer. The essential of this series procession is hat human beings are led to control their demonic character ( which is everybody has ) as a preparation to do the Nyepi the next day.

The Nyepi day is marked by undertaking the Catur Bratha Penyepian ( four abstinences during nyepi Day ) which consisting Amati Gni ( lighting no fire), Amati Karya ( no working ), amatiu lelungan ( no travelling ), and Amati lelanguan ( no entertainment ). Since the concentration of the Brata Penyepian mentioned, Bali Island turns totally silent at day, dark and quiet at evening. Its ambience's is so quite and pollution-free. No vehicles and factory activities polluted the air, no aeroplane noises disturbing. Mother earth breath healthy and rest for 24 hours.

The day after Nyepi Day called Ngembak Gni, where all peoples starts a new day with fresh mind. At this day, usually people visiting their relatives and friends for greetings.

Happy holiday in Bali. Cheers