The millennium on Bali: Mediation and purification

The millennium on Bali: Mediation and purification

Text by I Wayan Juniarta photos by Murdani Usman

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): To welcome the new millennium, the island
of Bali was enlivened with gala festivities.

Despite the millennial fanfare to welcome the year 2000, and
colorful New Year parades along Kuta beach, the celebration of
the new year in Bali was not as jubilant as it has been in the
past.

The 30 percent decrease in tourist traffic (from 106,775 in
December l998), and the approach of religious fetes among the
Gunungan and Kuningan Hindu communities, as well as Ramadhan and
Idul Fitri among Muslims, have constrained Balinese resources for
millennial celebration plans.

Three major events did result this year, however: the Sacred
Rhythm International Percussion Festival at Samuan Tiga Temple in
Pejeng, Gianyar; Nyurya Sewana Bumi 2000 at Sanur Beach,
Denpasar, and Bali Artventures 2000, which each drew thousands of
viewers at the sites.

The opening ceremony of the Sacred Rhythm Festival was
inspired by Nyepi, a Hindu Day of Silence ceremony.

The ceremony began with a parade of Ogoh-ogoh (oversize dolls
in the form of evil creatures) proceeding from Penataran Sasih
Temple to Samuan Tiga Temple in Pejeng, the center of the ancient
Balinese Kingdom Bedulu. Involving hundreds of youth from Pejeng
and the surrounding areas, the procession attracted the attention
of thousands of domestic and international tourists as well as
the local Balinese people.

The Sacred Rhythm Festival was organized by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) who
have set the year 2000 as the year for peace. The Sacred Bridge
Foundation presented international artists such as Jin Hi Kim
from South Korea, Stomu Yamash'ta from Japan, Vikku Vinayakram
from India, and Indian musicians Djaduk Ferianto and I Wayan
Sadra. Dancer Soeprapto swayed to music composed by Rahayu
Supanggah.