Nyepi means “to keep silent”. This day falls on the day after the dark moon of the equinox when day and night are approximately equal in length. No one leaves their homes or hotels and even the airport “Ngurah Rai” closes for 24 hours. Nyepi begins every year on a different date depending on the Balinese calendar and lasts for 24 hours from 0600 to 0600 the next day.

Leading up to Nyepi, children and men of all ages all over Bali will be seen building Ogoh-Ogoh statues. These Ogoh-Ogoh range in size and complexity and can be huge, sometimes up to 25 feet / 7+ meters tall. The Balinese Hindus believe that displaying the Ogoh-Ogoh will disorientate and appease evil spirits. Evil spirits will then leave the village and cease to harm any human beings. 

Ogoh-Ogoh are symbols of mythological beings or demons and can be funny, political or a representation of good triumphing over evil. The day before Nyepi, a procession is held through the villages of Bali and the Ogoh-Ogoh are carried on the shoulders of groups of young and old.  They are proudly displayed on the soccer field and a competition is held and prizes awarded to the best. There is a festival-like atmosphere abounding with music, stalls and families celebrating. They can also be very expensive to make. One statue can cost hundreds of thousands – tens of millions of rupiah ($10 – $1000 USD). Once the procession has taken place, the Ogoh-Ogoh will be taken to the cemetery to be burnt with the ashes a symbol of purification.

NYEPI DAY 

This New Year celebration is unlike anything or like anywhere else on the planet. Bali celebrates ‘Saka’ or New Year as the Day of Silence, the quietest day of the year. Everyone, including tourists, abides by a strict set of local rules which include staying at home, no lights after dark, no cooking smelly foods and no noise. This brings all routine activities to a complete halt. Hotels are asked to cover their windows and all shops are closed.

There is no traffic on the roads and nobody steps outside their home. Most Balinese and visitors regard it with anticipation. Some expats and those coming from neighbouring islands prefer escaping Bali for the day rather, due to restrictions that surround the observance. Some visitors check coinciding dates ahead before their Bali trip, avoiding it altogether.

The 4 MAIN rules of NYEPI DAY are:

• No working. Similar to a public holiday in most countries, all shops and businesses are required to close for 24 hours. Unlike other countries, for this day all businesses means all businesses. With an exception for local police and emergency personnel, everyone is required to stay home or in their accommodation. Not to worry, this is a great time to chill out by your pool and relax without the temptation of leaving your villa.

• No lighting fires (or lights of any kind). For a local, this would mean, no electricity or lighting of fires. As a tourist, it is also expected out of respect that light is kept to a minimum after dusk, we suggest keeping your curtains drawn and only using light when necessary. Don’t worry, your villa will have electricity for you to charge your devices and keep cool in the air-conditioning.

• No entertainment or pleasure. You will find that local TV stations will be switched off and mobile data services may be slow or limited. This however won’t affect the Wi-Fi in your villa and thus besides enjoying all the activities inside your villa offline (reading a good book, floating in your pool, playing board games), you will still be able to surf the web as much as your heart desires.

• No traveling. You will find that no planes will arrive or depart for 24 hours and thus trickles down to no movement of cars, motorbikes as well as people on foot. You are required to stay inside your villa. If you are in Bali during Nyepi Day make sure you do not plan any travel or outside activities.

Nyepi is worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime, especially since the preceding and following days offer rare highlights to behold! It is a very special experience not only for the Balinese but also for anyone in Bali during Nyepi.

Credit: www.vilondo.com

Images: Angel House Ubud

Mas, Tarukan was declared a ‘Designated Tourist Village’  in 2014 in an effort to preserve its unique history and cultural significance. This put a halt on any large-scale hotel, villa development or any building that would destroy the unique characteristics and style of Balinese village life in Mas. Tourists who want to experience traditional Balinese daily life and culture are now being encouraged to stay in private houses with a range of accommodation options including Angel House. 

Mas, one of Bali’s most famous artistic villages has a long and distinguished history of producing superb woodcarvings and is located only 8 km south of central Ubud, easily reached by car, bus or motorbike from all areas in Bali. 

The main entrance to the village of Tarukan Mas with its quiet streets, traditional Balinese stone carved doorways and friendly Balinese locals is only a 2 min walk from Angel House. Along the way you can visit world-class wood carving galleries, visit the vibrant traditional food market – Pasar Mas, the Bale Banjar and the famous temple of Pura Taman Pule.

Although Mas is famous worldwide for its woodcarving, many tourists come to Mas Village to participate in cultural activities including Balinese dance classes, woodcarving lessons and to participate in Gamelan. They can participate in Balinese cooking classes; or visit the many beautiful Hindu temples, such as Pura Taman Pule.

Mas also has a wonderful traditional fresh food market, a perfect place to take photographs of the huge variety of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Bali along with a fantastic array of fresh spices, flowers and traditional Balinese offerings, ‘Canang Sari’. You will see all over Bali these small handmade offerings of fresh leaves and flowers, with the addition of incense sticks or ‘ Dupa’, placed outside people’s homes, shops and offices.

Mas village has many local eateries and shops for a taste of local Indonesian food. A large percentage of the population in Mas still practices traditional farming techniques and it is easy to walk the quiet streets and watch the farmers tending their rice fields, herding their ducks or caring for the family cow, chicken or pigs as they have done for centuries. A tour guide is not essential as Mas village is well signed posted to guide any tourist who wants to see these sights for themselves.

Mas Village is a fusion of East and West where more than half of the community speak English and many are employed in the tourism industry. You will be very welcome if you come to visit or come and stay in a local Balinese home as part of Banjar Tarukan’s Homestay program.

Credit: Angel House, Ubud

Jamu is a traditional medicine from Indonesia. It is predominantly a herbal medicine made from natural materials, such as roots, bark, flowers, seeds, leaves and fruits.  Our guests at Angel House often ask for the recipe of our traditional jamu which we serve either hot or cold at breakfast. I have provided our own recipe so you can make it at home. Jamu will boost your mood, help you feel more energetic, increase immunity and reduce inflammation. Our jamu recipe is sure to remind you of your time in Bali. 

INGREDIENTS 

• 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow or white TURMERIC or a mix of both (if you are lucky to source in your local Asian supermarket).

• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh GINGER or if you can substitute galangal root.
• 2 tabs of TAMARIND PASTE (or a thumb size piece of fresh tamarind pulp)
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup PALM SUGAR OR  2-3 tabs of RAW HONEY (sweeten to taste after cooking)

ADD TO THE JAMU AFTER COOKING

• Juice of: 5-10 LIMES or 3-5 LEMONS or 3 FRESH GRAPEFRUIT

Note: Turmeric will stain your hands, nails, bench and all utensils used. Wear gloves and an apron to prevent staining of hands and clothes.

METHOD

• In a large saucepan or stock pot, add ingredients and 2 litres of water and bring to a boil. Simmer with the lid off for 30-45 minutes until the jamu gets a slightly creamy texture and the water is reduced to approx. 1.5 litres. 
• Let the jamu mixture cool. 
• Strain through a large sieve, squeezing the remaining pulp to extract as much of the goodness as possible. 
• Add your chosen juice. 
• Pour into clean and sterilised bottles and store in the fridge.

TO SERVE 

• Dilute the jamu by 50% with either hot or cold water.

Selamat Minum 

Credit: Angel House Ubud

Have you ever wondered how and what happens when the Balinese or others pray?

Hindu trinity: Brahma the creator, Wisnu the preserver and Siwa the destroyer.

1. Sit quietly, men cross-legged, women kneeling – to calm themselves and breathe in harmony in preparation for prayer.
2. Wash your face and hands in the smoke of the incense.
3. Praying with empty hands to connect to your own soul.
4. Hold a flower in your fingertips to pray to the supreme One.
5. Having discarded the single flower now hold different coloured flowers in the fingertips to pray to the three God manifestations – Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. (Brahma, Wisnu and Siva)
6. Holding three or more flowers honouring the manifestations of the One God in All
7. Praying with empty hands beseeching peace in ourselves and others
8. Wait quietly for the Priest (Pemangku) to come and sprinkle holy water and maybe ‘blessed’ rice as well.

© The Bali Advisor  

Galungan & Kuningan

The Balinese use two traditional calendars, very different to the Gregorian calendar used in the West.

• The main calendar used in Bali is Pawukon. One year equals 210 days.
• The second calendar used is Saka. This calendar starts each month after the new moon.

In the lead-up to Galungan and Kuningan, the talented Balinese make spectacular religious displays, seen all over Bali. The most recognisable symbol of this is a ‘Penjor’ which symbolises the fight of good (dharma) over evil (adharma). It also serves as an offering of thanks and devotion to God in his manifestation as the God of the Mountain.

What is a Penjor?

The penjor is both an offering to God and a temporary place of worship. 

Penjor’s are placed in front of family compounds, shops, businesses and at many of the temples found all over Bali. They are erected facing holy Mt Agung (Kaja/North side); and made from a tall, curved bamboo pole, decorated with leaves, padi / dried rice stalks and offerings. Due to their height, (sometimes more than ten metres high), they droop charmingly like ancient street lamps. 

At the base of the Penjor is a small temple where daily offerings are made during the 10 days of Galungan and Kuningan. Offerings are placed on this temporary “throne” for the Gods when they come down to Earth to celebrate Galungan. If you take a close look at a Penjor, you’ll notice that at the very tip hangs a decorative circle or Sampian which symbolises the cosmic wheel of life. 

During Galungan and Kuningan celebrations, these beautiful Penjor make a spectacular display as they sway gently in the wind.  

Credit: Angel House Ubud