The airports are closed. The souvenir stores have pulled down their metal shutters, and the putt-putt of scooters that provides the soundtrack to Bali has been silenced.
Behind tightly closed doors, Balinese Hindus observe an ancient ritual that has been in place since 78 A.D.—Nyepi, the day of silence. For the next 24 hours, work, travel, cooking, and the use of electric lights are banned. The Balinese have long understood the power of silence.
Nyepi, also known as the Saka New Year, is believed to help cleanse the island of demons and start the next year afresh. Celebrated on March 11, 2024 (it changes yearly according to the lunar calendar), Nyepi embraces the Balinese philosophy of life—Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony between the spirit realm, the human world, and nature.
The new multimillion-dollar SAKA Museum, soft-launched in Jimbaran, Bali, in 2023, now invites travelers to learn and immerse themselves in the traditions of Nyepi. Visitors can experience eight galleries that show how the people of Bali enter the New Year with a positive frame of mind.
“With the rapid transformation of technology, you want to always be connected, but now you are forced to just let go of everything,” says Marlowe Bandem, curator of the SAKA Museum. Here’s what you need to know about this ancient tradition.
Bali’s new cultural center
The first rituals of Nyepi occur on Melasti, the first new moon in March. Villagers carry sacred objects, such as masks and swords, from the temples to purify them in the lakes or the sea. Then, on the eve of the event, residents gather for Pengrupukan, where they parade giant papier mâché-effigies through the streets before burning them to cleanse the village of evil spirits. At six a.m. the following day, 24 hours of silence begins as the Balinese focus on recharging themselves without any distractions.
The 53,800-square-foot, compass-shaped SAKA Museum—an ode to pangider bhuwana, the nine directions of Balinese cosmology—guides visitors through this journey of renewal over its three floors. Guests are greeted by a starlit ceiling on the ground floor before coming face-to-face with a 39-foot-high snarling, winged papier mâché ogoh-ogoh (evil spirit) on the second floor. The museum collaborated with Balinese artists from nine communities to create bespoke works like this for the exhibit.
(Bali’s elaborate masks offer a connection to the gods.)
On the top floor, U.S.-based artist Vibeke Sorensen’s light installation uses cascading colors to form a dome representing the renewal of the new year. “My hope is that [visitors] will experience a transformation from chaos and anxiety to peace, harmony, and a feeling of joy,” says Sorensen.
Giant papier-mâché figures representing evil spirits called ogoh-ogohs greet guests on the second floor of the SAKA Museum. Located in the Ayana Estate in Jimbaran, Bali, the new cultural hub dedicated to Balinese Hinduism traditions and crafts.
Photograph by Saka Museum
Silence boosts brainpower
In the modern world, silence is harder to find. From the beep of your phone to the drone of city traffic, your ears receive constant feedback.
This unwanted racket affects more than our ears. Mathias Basner, a professor of behavioral regulation and health at University of Pennsylvania, says that our body interprets it as a stressor. “This will initiate increased levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline in the blood that can increase the risk for heart attacks and strokes,” he says.
An example of how loud the world has become is the increase in vehicles on our roads. In 1970, just 118 million cars were registered to drivers in the U.S.; in 2021, there were 278 million. The European Environmental Agency says that road traffic is the most prevalent source of environmental noise.
(Discover the planet’s last few “naturally quiet” places.)
Researchers in Europe found that road traffic noise is not only linked to sleep disturbances but it can also affect children’s learning abilities. Primary school kids exposed to road traffic noise were slower in developing cognitive functions such as working memory.
On the other hand, silence boosts brain power, according to a study by Duke University. Looking at how different sounds affect the brain, researchers studied the effects of classical music, ambient noise, and silence on mice. When mice sat in silence, their brain neurons increased.
Embrace the quiet
Sang Tu, co-founder of the Bali Silent Retreat, says there are a few ways visitors to Bali during Nyepi can intentionally celebrate the day of silence. “I suggest people visit the ogoh-ogoh parades on the eve of Nyepi to experience all the noise and expressions,” Sang says. Then, when the Nyepi starts, he recommends focusing on “fasting, breathing, and darkness.”
Balinese Hindus spend time fasting and meditating on Nyepi, but another way to embrace Tri Hita Karana is to stargaze. When Bali switches off its lights and the island is plunged into darkness, people can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. “Every light in the sky is clearer and more vibrant,” Sang says.
(See the heavens the way ancient Britons did at this dark sky park.)
Marlowe Bandem says everyone should enjoy the silence. “The best part is waking up early in Bali on Nyepi and experiencing that serene moment,” he says.
Surrounded by the AYANA Resort and Spa’s lush gardens, the SAKA Museum features a state-of-the-art auditorium, learning center, café, and shop stocked with works from local artists.
Photograph by Saka Museum
What to know
Where to stay: The Bali Silent Retreat in the north of the island embraces silence year-round. Guests are encouraged to switch off their cell phones and leave the clutter of daily life behind. Ayana Resort & Spa Bali shares the same grounds as the Saka Museum. Guests can also watch the hotel’s ogoh-ogoh parade.
Where to go: Travelers can find ogoh-ogoh parades in each banjar (hamlet), but some of the largest ones are in Denpasar and Nusa Dua. Join the crowds in Denpasar to see villagers hold their ogoh-ogoh aloft as they navigate the Patang Catur Muka roundabout near Lapangan Puputan Bandung Park. In Nusa Dua, the spiritual complex of Puja Mandala marks the beginning of the parade.
Businesses may be closed for longer than one day. If you stay in a villa, stock up on food before. On Nyepi, shops and food delivery companies close. If you plan to stay in a hotel, ask if the restaurant is open before you book.
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