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Exorcizing Your Demons
The Balinese New Year

Sunday, March 18th, was the national celebration of the Balinese New Year, Nyepe… which is pronounced “N-Yipee!”

In Ubud, the artistic capital of the island, about 15 of my friends gathered at the Palazo restaurant, which has a terrace opening on the main street where the main Nyepe procession happens.

People came from every corner of the world to witness this ceremony: the King of Ubud and his family had a table upstairs... and downstairs, many friends at many tables gathered to witness this amazing celebration.

According to ancestral tradition, every Balinese “banjar,” or village, creates their special “monster”. These are impressive, magnificent artistic creations hand-crafted by the villagers.

The monsters embody all the negative energies and dark forces, which bothered the world and that village during the past year. They are called “Ogoh Ogoh” and are displayed and paraded through the streets, and then ultimately ceremoniously burned in the local cemetery.

It’s the Balinese equivalent of the “Burning Man” gathering in California.

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In Ubud, the artistic capital of the island, all the monsters are brought on bamboo platforms to a large, central football field. Hundreds of Balinese, young and old, gather and blend with the delighted tourists and “expats” (foreign residents).

This festive crowd sizzled with excitement at the prospect of this unusual exorcism.

As the sun set and dark came upon the field, the monsters came alive! Red lights flashing in and through their genitals, cleverly build in the structure, traveling through their bodies, flashing again out of their mouth, fangs, and ferocious eyes!

Even their hands trembled as they displayed the small bodies of their victims hanging from their claws.

The artistry displayed was astonishing… each community seemingly surpassing the other in creativity and “demonic artistry!”

By the next day’s break, rule has it that everyone in Bali must stay home, and be quiet. No cars are allowed on the street. If cars drive around, the passengers are stopped by police and sent home or have to stay in the police station for 24 hours.

Everyone on that day is supposed to rest and meditate on this coming year. And spend the day with their family.

Another reason, it is said, is that during that day the monster’s spirits are traveling around looking for a new “body” to “take over” and live in.

So Bali “plays dead” in hopes that the demons will by-pass over the island and go elsewhere.

I’ve experienced and witnessed this yearly “exorcism” as a very healthy and integral aspect of Balinese culture. It's very much like part of the ritual I teach and practice, where we call upon the guardians of the underworld, our shadow side, in order to welcome and bring into the light even the darkest aspects of our selves… and no longer be possessed or controlled by them.

I hope you get the chance to experience Nyepe some time in your life.

Much love and blessings,
Margot

Photos courtesy of Kyer Wiltshire, www.kyerphotography.com

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