Balinese Prepare For Ogoh-Ogoh Parade

February 26, 2010 - Thousands of people across Bali have been busy making the giant ogoh-ogoh effigies in preparation for the celebrations of the upcoming Caka Hindu New Year 1932, popularly known as Nyepi, or the Day of Silence. The event falls on March 16.

To welcome Nyepi Day, every traditional village community, must prepare at least one ogoh-ogoh for each Nyepi. Making the ogoh-ogoh helps strengthen communal relation among neighbors because it's a collective work by all villagers.

The ogoh-ogoh are giant paper demons that symbolize all things bad. These effigies usually take the form of wild beasts, usually the mythical butha kala, but in recent times have been made in the form of popular cartoon characters. Also in the past few years, effigies have been made resembling notorious public figures, including graft suspects and terrorists.

On the eve of the Caka New Year, Balinese Hindus parade them along the streets and burn them together to dissipate any negative energy.

The Caka New Year is observed in total quiet and contemplation. The entire island falls into darkness on the night, as the Hindu faithful are prohibited from lighting a fire or using electricity, or even leaving home. Virtually all activities will come to a halt for 24 hours, including tourism offices and the airport, while the streets will be deserted.

This year, Denpasar will host an ogoh-ogoh competition. The city will hold an ogoh-ogoh parade on March 15.

Municipal spokesman I Made Erwin Suryadarma said the administration had given Rp 3.5 million to each of the city's 350 youth groups to make ogoh-ogoh. Community elder I Made Karim called on all residents to make creative ogoh-ogoh.