Ceremonies
The Balinese Calendar
The Balinese have two traditional calendars, the Sasih and the Pawukon, which run parallel to one another, together determining the complex round of rituals and ceremonies that permeates day to day life on the island. Whilst the Sasih originates from a Hindu calendar system originating in India, the Pawukon is said to be indigenous to Bali, rooted in the rice growing cycle as well as Balinese mythology. The Pawukon runs for 210 days and is further sub-divided into ‘weeks’ which run concurrently – the 3, 5 and 7 day weeks are the most significant.
January
New Year’s Day 1st Jan 2012
Have a great start of the New Year with a sumptuous branch and relaxing Spa treatment to follow. Now we look forward to a great new year!
February
GALUNGAN (1st February 2012) & KUNINGAN (11th February 2012)
Another festival unique to Bali is Galungan and Kuningan – two festivals which book end a 10 day period when the spirits of defied ancestors descend to earth to visit their families. This is an intense period of temple activity and vast processions throng the streets with women carrying tall offerings of fruit on their heads by heading down to the beach purify the ancestral totems, which are kept in the household sanggah (temple). The temples themselves are cleaned to make them appropriately welcoming to the ancestors and long, flexible bamboo poles decorated with palm leaves known as Penjor are erected outside every household giving the streets a festive feel.
March
NYEPI (23rd March 2012) & OGOH-OGOH PARADE
The day of the Ogoh-Ogoh is the precursor to the start of the lunar New Year, which is celebrated on the following day. This day is known as Nyepi, the Day of Silence and it occurs in either March or April each year. About a month before Nyepi, strange entities begin to take shape in the local village halls all over Bali – huge skeletal structures constructed of wood depicting animals, human and figures from Hindu and Balinese mythology. Later, papier-māché skin will be applied, wigs, garments and other accoutrements to make the pleasing to the Dewa (Gods) and Butha Kala (Demons).
The day prior to Nyepi, when the Ogoh-Ogoh are paraded up and down the streets carried by the young men of the community, is known as Pengerupukan. There are various explanations of its purpose – to amuse the spirits so that they do not get up to mischief; to confuse the spirits (this is the purpose of spinning the Ogoh-Ogoh round and round at the all-important cross roads where spirits like to congregate); and to show up the rival communities by having a much better Ogoh-Ogoh then theirs and then celebrate with copious amounts of arak (rice wine).
At the same time as providing a diversion for the spirits, the Ogoh-Ogoh also represent them. That is why they often take the form of traditional figures such as Rangda the witch or the mythical Lion – like Barong. Because it is the young who take the greatest part in making them, the Ogoh-Ogoh have become a kind of interface where the ancient and the modern meet; thus you will see monsters on motorcycles and other modern icons alongside more conservative creations.
The uproar of Pengerupukan is followed by a day of silence, which is reserved for meditation. Officially, no work should be done, lights and electrical instruments should not be switched on and everyone must remain in the boundaries of their home. No planes land at the airport or even fly over the island. It is a kind of cleansing process, an opportunity to look inside and be still in preparation for the year ahead.
The resort area of Kuta is famed for the quality of its Ogoh-Ogoh creations – transfers to and from the Nyepi ceremony can be arranged at Reception.
THE 5th ANNUAL BALI SPIRIT FESTIVAL (28th March – 1st April 2012)
The Bali Spirit Festival is a spiritually charged event that celebrates yoga, dance and music and the synergy of global cultural collaboration through the arts.
April
SARASWATI DAY (23rd April 2012)
This day is devoted to God’s Manifestation as Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature. On this day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and holy scripts are blessed and special offerings are made for them
PAGERWESI DAY (27th April 2012)
This auspicious day on the Balinese calendar celebrates Sang Yang (the creator of the universe) with grand ceremonies island-wide.
May
June
BALI ARTS FESTIVAL (June – July)
The Bali Arts Festival is the island’s biggest cultural celebration. It is a month-long event with daily performances and exhibitions that bring together some of Bali’s finest examples of traditional dance, music, drama, handicrafts and cuisine. The festival provides a unique opportunity to experience local village culture in one convenient setting.
KITE FESTIVAL (June – July)
This inspiring event sees an array of traditional and hand-crafted kites making the most of Bali’s seasonal winds. The festival is an added bonus for tourist who are seeking a unique glimpse of another side of Bali
July
BALI ARTS FESTIVAL (June – July)
The Bali Arts Festival is the island’s biggest cultural celebration. It is a month-long event with daily performances and exhibitions that bring together some of Bali’s finest examples of traditional dance, music, drama, handicrafts and cuisine. The festival provides a unique opportunity to experience local village culture in one convenient setting.
KITE FESTIVAL (June – July)
This inspiring event sees an array of traditional and hand-crafted kites making the most of Bali’s seasonal winds. The festival is an added bonus for tourist who are seeking a unique glimpse of another side of Bali
NEGARA BULL RACES
Bulls are washed and decorated with garlands, attached to chariots and then raced in an enthralling event. The bull races are staged between the months of July and October in north Bali in the regency of Negara.
August
GALUNGAN (29th August 2012)
Another festival unique to Bali is Galungan and Kuningan – two festivals which book end a 10 day period when the spirits of defied ancestors descend to earth to visit their families. This is an intense period of temple activity and vast processions throng the streets with women carrying tall offerings of fruit on their heads by heading down to the beach purify the ancestral totems, which are kept in the household sanggah (temple). The temples themselves are cleaned to make them appropriately welcoming to the ancestors and long, flexible bamboo poles decorated with palm leaves known as Penjor are erected outside every household giving the streets a festive feel.
NUSA DUA FESTIVAL
This week-long event in Bali’s popular Nusa Dua resort enclave is a must-see, featuring many local treats including traditional dance, music and island cuisine.
September
KUNINGAN (8th September 2012)
Another festival unique to Bali is Galungan and Kuningan – two festivals which book end a 10 day period when the spirits of defied ancestors descend to earth to visit their families. This is an intense period of temple activity and vast processions throng the streets with women carrying tall offerings of fruit on their heads by heading down to the beach purify the ancestral totems, which are kept in the household sanggah (temple). The temples themselves are cleaned to make them appropriately welcoming to the ancestors and long, flexible bamboo poles decorated with palm leaves known as Penjor are erected outside every household giving the streets a festive feel.
October
NEGARA BULL RACES
Bulls are washed and decorated with garlands, attached to chariots and then raced in an enthralling event. The bull races are staged between the months of July and October in north Bali in the regency of Negara.
UBUD WRITERS AND READERS FESTIVAL
For five days every October, this inspiring festival sees respected writers of international fame gather in the village of Ubud, culminating in one of the best literary events of its kind.
November
BALI INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
This is a major event on the island, and in Indonesia as a whole, with performers from all over the world playing to crowds over a three day period.
SARASWATI DAY (19th November 2012)
This day is devoted to God’s Manifestation as Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature. On this day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and holy scripts are blessed and special offerings are made for them
PAGERWESI DAY (23rd November 2012)
This auspicious day on the Balinese calendar celebrates Sang Yang (the creator of the universe) with grand ceremonies island-wide.
December
Christmas Eve 24th December 2011
The Holidays mood filled the air, preparation for Christmas is completed.
It’s party time tonight!Christmas Day 25th December 2011
A day to celebrate with the world and thank for the blessing we received.
Share the joy with the world.New Year’s Eve 31st December 2011
Pause for a moment to look back and reflect an eventful 2011. Take stock of your achievement and plan for a greater year ahead. Join in the countdown party to celebrate the end of a year and welcome a new begining.
