Nyepi Bali

​Nyepi di Bali

Multiple Choice

Where is Bali located in Indonesia?

• In between Sumatra and Java

• In between Java and Lombok

• In between Lombok and Sulawesi

• In between Sulawesi and Kalimantan

Di mana Bali?

Bali is a fairly small island, located in between the islands of Java and Lombok.

Bali is the 5th largest island in Indonesia.

On a map, it is directly above Western Australia.

Fill in the Blanks

​Hindu Bali

On the island of Bali, 93% of the population practice the religion, Balinese Hinduism. Although the Balinese call themselves Hindus, there are many difference with Indian Hinduism. They may share the same main Gods, but Balinese Hinduism have lots of additional Gods as well such as Gods for fire, water, mountains, rice etc.

​The Balinese people believe that every element of nature possess power and have a spirit; and that spirits and ancestors should be treated with great respect because they have the power to influence the living people. A key belief of Balinese Hindus is the idea of reincarnation - you come back with the spirit of a past family member. In fact, spirits and ancestors are housed in the family and village temples (pura) with offerings being made daily.

Balinese people believe in the 'Tri Datu' which translates to the 'Three Powers' often represented by the colours - white, red and black. These three powers are about Balinese people living their lives creating and maintaining balance between themselves, the environment and the spiritual world throughout their lives and beyond.

Multiple Choice

True or False: Balinese people believe in reincarnation where people only come back with the spirit of family members who have passed.

• Benar - True

• Salah - False

Open Ended

The Tri Datu is a key philosophy of Balinese Hindu faith. What are the three elements that must be in balance?

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhNlt7ZzSm4&t=1s

Nyepi: A Balinese Silent Day

Melasti

​Melasti is a beautiful and meaningful Balinese Hindu ceremony that takes place before Nyepi, the Day of Silence. During Melasti, Balinese people gather on the beach to purify themselves and their surroundings by washing sacred items and statues from the temples in the sea. The ceremony is a symbol of cleansing and purifying - preparing for the upcoming Balinese New Year.

If you're lucky enough to witness Melasti in person, you'll be treated to a spectacular display of colour, traditional music, and dance. Everyone from the village will parade from the village temple to the beach carrying these items. They will be lead by the priest and will also be accompanied by men playing gamelan and traditional dancers. It's a time when the Balinese people come together to honour their culture and traditions, and to express their gratitude for the blessings in their lives.

Multiple Choice

True or False: Melasti happens after Nyepi.

• Benar - True

• Salah - False

Multiple Select

What is the purpose of Melasti? (select more than one)

• Balinese people can express gratitude for the blessings in their lives.

• Balinese people can purify and cleanse their minds and body before the new year.

• Balinese people can purify and cleanse special items from the temple before the new year.

• Balinese people can seek guidance and protection from ancestors and the Balinese Gods.

Link: https://youtu.be/TtEB6Z5ei8I

Melasti in Lebu Village, Karangasem

Open Ended

In the video, what are three interesting and unique things did you see?

Open Ended

What colours were the traditional clothing that the Balinese people wore?

​Night before Nyepi

​On the eve of Nyepi, celebrations are held with large scary looking paper-mache giants, called Ogoh-Ogoh. Ogoh-ogoh normally take the shape and design of mythological beings, mostly demons. These giants can take up to 3 months to create by each banjar in the village.

The evening before Nyepi, these statues are paraded around the streets of the villages and main city, held up by locals usually chanting loudly alongside even louder gamelan music.

​Nowadays, young people have enjoyed creating friendly competition amongst themselves as to who has the best ogoh-ogoh display.

At the end of the night, the ogoh-ogoh are paraded from the town centre back to the village cemetery and then often set alight, with the belief that any evil, which has brought illness, sadness or bad luck will have been destroyed in time for a fresh start in the New Year.

Multiple Choice

How long can a village take to make an ogoh-ogoh?

• 1 month

• 2 months

• 3 months

• 4 months

Fill in the Blanks

Open Ended

Why do the Balinese people burn the ogoh-ogoh at the end of the night?

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uwcdJKNN5I

Ogoh-ogoh Parade

Open Ended

From the video you just watched, what are 3 interesting and unique things you saw?

Poll

Would you like to attend a Balinese ogoh-ogoh festival?

• Yes! It looks like so much fun. Love a party!

• No! Not my thing. Too spooky!

Draw

​Nyepi Day in Bali is a New Year celebrated unlike anywhere else in the world. The Saka New Year here is also known as the Bali's Day of Silence.

It's ultimately the quietest day of the year – all of the island's population has to follow a set of local rules that bring everyday activities to a complete halt. Roads all over Bali are quiet and empty and nobody is allowed to step outside of their home for the day starting from 6am until 6 am the following day. Even planes are not allowed to enter or leave the island for the 24-hour period.

​What is Nyepi?

​During the day of Nyepi, local watchmen referred to as ‘pecalang’ guard the streets to ensure all rules are obeyed and everyone stays quietly at home. If breaking these rules such as caught leaving the house without a genuine reason (medical emergency), fines are given out to those people.

The day is for purification and self-reflection. Anything that may interfere with that is banned. Some meditate or participate in fasting.

There are four main Nyepi rules that many follow; Amati Geni (no fire, light, electricity), Amati Karya (no working), Amati Lelunganan (no traveling) and Amati Leanguan (Fasting and no entertainment). People can eat, use electric and WiFi etc.. that is not mandatory

Fill in the Blanks

Open Ended

What is not allowed during Nyepi? (Write 4 rules)

Multiple Choice

What happens to a person if they break the rules during Nyepi?

• Sent to jail

• Nothing

• Receive a fine

Multiple Choice

True or False: There are security guards/watchmen that guard the village during Nyepi

• Benar - True

• Salah - False

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhNlt7ZzSm4&t=1s

I Experienced Bali's Silence Day | Nyepi 2022

Open Ended

From the video you just watched, what are 3 interesting and unique things you saw?

Open Ended

If you were in Bali during Nyepi, what would you do throughout the day?

Link: https://youtu.be/iWKROq4VmJo

Nyepi in Bali - Day of Silence, Night of Stars