Balinese New Year and Ogoh Ogoh.

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Ogoh-Ogoh - 15 Best Places to see Ogoh-Ogoh Parades in Bali

Ogoh-ogoh are large, frightening demon-like statues, crafted from materials like paper, bamboo, and foam, that are paraded through the streets of Bali the night before the Nyepi holiday. The parades symbolize the banishment of negative energy and spirits from the community, culminating in the burning of the effigies to cleanse the island before the solemn Nyepi, Bali's silent day of reflection. The creation of these elaborate figures brings the community together through a collaborative art and tradition.

What are Ogoh-Ogoh?

Giant puppets:

Ogoh-ogoh are large, often grotesque, effigies representing evil spirits, demons, and other negative forces.

Community creation:

Local community groups, known as banjars, spend months creating these detailed figures from materials like paper, bamboo, and foam.

Art and tradition:

The process is a display of creativity and community spirit, with young people and volunteers working together to bring their visions to life. The Ogoh-Ogoh Parade

Symbolic procession:

The parades occur on the night before Nyepi, a Balinese Hindu holiday.

Cleansing the community:

The parading ogoh-ogoh are meant to represent all forms of negativity and vice within society and the mind.

Ceremonial burning:

At the end of the parade, the statues are often set ablaze in a symbolic act of destroying evil and purifying the village. Electrifying atmosphere: The parades are a vibrant, loud, and chaotic event, filled with the sounds of gamelan music, dancers in costume, and fireworks. Significance of Ogoh-Ogoh Spiritual purification: The tradition serves as a spiritual ritual to drive out negative influences and ensure peace before the reflective Nyepi. Community unity: The collaborative effort in creating the figures fosters a strong sense of togetherness within the community. Artistic expression: The ogoh-ogoh are seen as a form of street theater and a competitive art form, showcasing the artistic talent and imagination of the Balinese people.