Festivals in Bali
Balinese house in Kuta (17 June, 2004)
© Timothy Tye
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The people of Bali celebrate many festival throughout the year. Balinese festivals are called odalan. They are usually associated with any one of the 20,000 temples and shrines located all over Bali. Odalans are usually celebrated twice a year, and on many other auspicious dates of the Balinese calendar. The Balinese calendar, called wuku or Pawukon calendar, has a 210-day cycle. Hence it is completely out of sync with the Gregorian calendar. In addition, the Balinese also observe the saka calendar, which is a lunar calendar that is more closely resembling the western calendar.
The Hindu New Year, or Nyepi, is a festival to be avoided. It happens around March or April (the 2009 Nyepi is happening on 26 March). The reason is, Nyepi, also known as Day of Absolute Silence, sees all businesses closed for a day, and tourists confirned to their hotels. The reason for the silence is that the Balinese believe it is a day they have to fool the demons into believing that there is absolutely nobody in Bali. By successfully observing Nyepi, Balinese believe that demons will go elsewhere and leave Bali in peace for another year.
Other festivals in Bali are accompanied by more pomp and pagentry. Even funerals, called pitra yadnya seems to be an excuse for colorful rituals. Cremations are often performed amass. Galungan is a 10-day festival celebrating the death of tyrant Mayadenawa. Bamboo poles called penjor line the streets during this festival.
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