Balinese observe Nyepi with usual tolerance<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Balinese observed Nyepi day, the Hindu Day
\nof Silence, yesterday without light and avoiding all activities.<\/p>\n
Nyepi day, this year 1919 in the Saka (Hindu) calendar, is
\nwhen the faithful reflect on their actions of the year before.<\/p>\n
Hindus meditate in their houses and are prohibited from
\nengaging in any kind of activity including turning on lights,
\ntraveling and sex.<\/p>\n
The predominantly Hindu land, also known as the Island of
\nParadise and the Island of God, has three million Hindus.<\/p>\n
The island was very quiet and looked almost like a deserted
\nisland, an Antara report said. The road connecting Gilimanuk,
\nDenpasar and Padangbai, usually packed with traffic, was deserted
\nand pollution free.<\/p>\n
A few Pecalang (village officers who are active only on Nyepi
\nday), could be seen in their traditional black garb complete with
\nkeris (traditional dagger). They stood guard on street corners
\nand road junctions to supervise those with special permission to
\ntravel.<\/p>\n
This year the local administration in Badung, southern Bali,
\ngave permission for 234 cars to travel the area. These vehicles
\nbelonged to police officers and travel agencies who were
\ntransporting tourists from hotels to the airport or visa versa.<\/p>\n
Tourists showed respect for the tradition by staying in their
\nhotels, many of which organized special programs.<\/p>\n
The virtue of tolerance is not new in Bali. In 1991, Nyepi
\nfell on the eve of Idul Fitri, the Moslem post-fasting festival.
\nAnd in 1990 Nyepi fell on a Sunday the day Christians go to
\nchurch. Each time, the Balinese let the other groups perform
\ntheir religious duties.<\/p>\n
Only hospitals were allowed to carry on undisturbed yesterday.
\nBut hospital staff kept activity to a minimum in honor of the
\nday.<\/p>\n
Nyepi evening was very dark, with no power, no candlelight.
\nOnly 127 vital institutions were allowed to use electricity,
\nthese were hospitals, hotels, and meat canning factories.<\/p>\n
In rural areas, officials guarded villages to prevent crime.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Tengger, the mountainous area of East Java, the
\nmajority Hindus celebrated Nyepi quite differently.<\/p>\n
For one, they had lights on. The Tengger village chief,
\nSoedja'i, was quoted by Antara as saying the difference lay in
\ncultural variation.<\/p>\n
\"Here we observe Nyepi in our own way,\" he said. \"We do it
\nwith sacrifices but I could say the difference is not based on
\nreligious teachings but on culture,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In Tengger, he said, lights-off will be observed next month,
\nthe kapitu month. \"At the beginning and the end of it.\" (12)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/balinese-observe-nyepi-with-usual-tolerance-1447893297",
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