Bali deserted for Day of Silence observance

Bali deserted for Day of Silence observance

I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

Bali was uncustomarily calm and tranquil on Wednesday as the
predominantly Hindu island celebrated Nyepi, the Hindu Day of
Silence, which marked the Saka New Year 1925.

During the day, Hindus here are obliged to avoid light, work,
traveling outside the family compound and leisure and
entertainment activities.

"It is a day to silently reflect on all our past thoughts,
words and deeds, to honestly review our life, to seek the truth
within and to eagerly learn the art of conquering our worldly and
banal desires," noted Hindu scholar I Ketut Sumarta said.

The day is observed by Hindu communities outside of Bali in a
different manner. Outside of Bali, Hindus do not confine
themselves to their homes, going instead to the temple to pray.

This year's Nyepi came over five months after a bombing that
killed 202 people and injured hundreds of others in the resort
area of Kuta.

The streets of Bali were deserted on Wednesday, while
airports, harbors, shopping malls and all public places were
closed. Local television station Bali TV stayed off the air for
the whole day, and police officers stayed in their stations.

Only the traditional civilian guards known as Pecalang were
out and about, patrolling their respective villages.

However, some Balinese clearly took the holiday lightly.
Someone told The Jakarta Post that about a dozen men from his
neighborhood gathered in the community hall to play the
traditional card game Cap Je Kie.

There were also reports of groups of people, adults and
children alike, venturing outside of their family compounds and
strolling about the empty streets. The head of the traditional
neighborhood association (Banjar) in eastern Denpasar was seen
riding his motorbike around the area.

On the eve of Nyepi, a combination of improved security
measures and nature created one of the safest Ngerupuk rituals
ever.

Only three minor incidents were reported on Tuesday night,
including a heated argument between security guards from local
daily Bali Post and youths from Banjar Kaliungu Kaja.

Last year's Ngerupuk was marred by two intervillage brawls in
Bualu and Abiansemal.

The Denpasar Police deployed some 1,250 officers, including
200 from the elite Mobile Brigade, to secure the ritual that
preceded Nyepi, during which thousands of youths from villages
all over Denpasar carried and paraded some 897 ogoh-ogoh (papier-
mache dolls that symbolize evil spirits) across the city.

"We deliberately deployed more officers to those areas where
violent conflicts are known to have occurred in the past, such as
in Bualu, Nusa Dua, Abiansemal, Kuta, Petang, Mengwi, Sanur and
Kuta," Denpasar Police chief of operations Comr. R. Agus Sugianto
said.

Strong winds and heavy rain put an abrupt end to the parade
and forced the youths to run for their homes. In the past, the
youths usually ended the parade with a party, where they drank
traditional liquor. These parties have more than once resulted in
liquor-fueled brawls.

"Nature truly did us a favor tonight," Sugianto said.