Shhhh.... Pernah dengar pasal Nyepi Day tak? kat Bali....
Nyepi Day or Silent Day is a celebration of the
Balinese New Year (pernah dengar dorang also called it as Saka or Caka New
Year). This year, the event will take place on Saturday, 21st March 2015. It
is 24hours event; beginning from 6:00am on 21st March
2015 to 6:00am on 22nd March 2015 ~ “during
the spring equinox when the sun is exactly at the equator and day and night is
exactly 12 hours apart” katanya.
Similar like Awal Muharam, or Chinese New Year; this
public holiday is a Hindu New Year for
all Balinese. Yeap, Bali ONLY – cause 84.5% of Bali’s population are Balinese
Hinduism while in Lombok, the majority are Muslim. So far, I noticed that this
Nyepi Day was held on March every
year: 21st March 2015, 31st March 2014, 12th
March 2013, 23rd March 2012 etc. During my last visit to Bali last 4th
April; I still can see the decorations on the street, temples and houses for this Nyepi Day
celebration.
Nyepi tu sama macam Bahasa Melayu which is SEPI. And the most important thing
about this SILENT event, there will be NO lights, NO traveling and NO activities
(including cooking or eating) are allowed in the whole BALI Island. In fact, this
celebration will affect the daily program.
Yeap, they said ‘No Lights’; but for foreigners
actually you guys still can on the light but keep it as minimum as you can. Balinese
will refrain from using fire and light and their homes and village will be
in total darkness at the night.
NO travelling.
NO flights,
ships and ferry services in/out of Bali from
6.00am of March 21st, 2015 to 6.00am of March 22nd,
2015. NO
public transportation such as
coaches, taxis, limousines will be operated during these hours.
NO activities.
All tours and performances
will be cancelled and some tourism objects will be closed. The Balinese
will remain indoors or with their families. No
one is allowed outdoors unless instructed by the village head or priest. Same
goes to tourist, you only may stay in your room or within hotel’s area only. There
are PECALANGs (traditional Balinese security
man) who wears a black uniform and an UDENG or DESTAR (a Balinese
traditional "hat" that is usually used in ceremony). The Pecalangs
main task is not only to control and to check the street security but also to
stop any activities that disturb Nyepi. NO traffic is allowed, not only cars
but also people. The streets are totally clear.
In addition, Balinese will fast for
24 hours and… NO sex! Service staff
in hotels and essential services, including the police and fire departments also
will not be at full strength (sebab puasa).
Since there will be no activities, no one is
working, no shops and restaurant are open, all people are fasting, no one on
the street, no one on the beach, no transportation, no radio, no TV, NOTHING! For
the whole 24hrs, we only will listen to dog’s barking, sounds of insects, or
maybe voice of baby’s crying… etc. I have no idea. Never experience this all my
life. As far as I know, people tend to sleep for the whole day. Nahhh! Any Balinese reader want to share your experience here?
They expected the place and the people to be ‘clean’
and everything starts anew…
lain orang lain cara. betul tak??
Below is some interesting
information from my Balinese friend ~ Thanks for sharing ~ :-
“ Approaching Nyepi, on March 18th 2015,
this is the starting of the celebrations and celebrated by everyone in Bali.
Symbolically, it is the spring cleaning for the homes to rid them of spirits
and prepare for the next day. Every village would bring out large processions
to take the Gods to sea for their symbolic bath famous as “Melasti”.
The day prior to Nyepi on March 20th
2015 is called “NGERUPUK”, the great sacrificial ceremony which held all
over the island of Bali. The objective is to exorcise evil spirits from humans,
animals, and the island. In the evening after sunset, “OGOH – OGOH”
(giant effigies) processions accompanied by gamelan musicians and people
carrying torch lights marching through the villages. ”
Oh ya, last but not least… in Bali there’s also Nyepi Laut or Sea Seclusion
Day. Last year was held on 9th October 2014 and this year will be on 29th September 2015. Hence, all cruise or
other sea activities/products/services will be NOT operated.
Nyepi Day 2016 will be take place on Wednesday,
09th March 2016
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