Okokan: Traditional Evil-Repelling Ritual Ahead of Nyepi Festival in Tabanan

Residents of Kediri Traditional Village in Tabanan, Bali, have participated in the Okokan tradition, a hereditary practice performed ahead of Nyepi (Balinese New Year celebration for Saka 1948). The ritual involves villagers circulating through the community whilst sounding the Okokan—a traditional wooden musical instrument typically hung around cattle or water buffalo—to neutralise energy and repel misfortune.

The practice serves as both a spiritual cleansing mechanism and an opportunity to strengthen communal bonds amongst residents as they prepare for the important Hindu religious celebration. This ancestral tradition reflects the deep-rooted spiritual beliefs and cultural practices of Balinese communities in maintaining spiritual harmony and collective well-being ahead of significant religious observances.