Published 4 days ago • Bali, Indonesia • Updated 3 days ago

Lights out: Bali guards protect island's day of silence

On Saturday morning, Bali observed Nyepi, a day of silence on the Hindu calendar, beginning at 6 am local time , during which the entire island, including locals and tourists, was expected to remain at home.
Rooted in self-reflection, this centuries-old tradition, a public holiday since the 1980s, involves refraining from work, travel, and entertainment.
Ensuring compliance with Nyepi, thousands of patrol guards called 'Pecalang' monitored the island, forbidding traffic and shutting down the airport.
I Gusti Agung Ketut Kartika Jaya Seputra, head of the Balinese traditional community agency, noted the Pecalang's role in 'coordinating, informing, and educating people who are not Hindus,' while Gede Kamajaya, a lecturer at Bali's Udayana University, explained that the tradition 'applies for a lifetime, until the person concerned can no longer carry out their duties'.
As Bali, where over 80% of the population identifies as Hindu, observed Nyepi, officials emphasized the importance of preserving this unique tradition, resulting in cleaner air and a day of contemplation where locals find 'clarity of thought'.

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