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Nyepi
A night of painted demon giants, then a day and night of darkness: Bali turns off every light for its New Year.
The colours of Nyepi
Nyepi is the Balinese Hindu New Year, a day of silence. On the evening before, each neighbourhood parades its ogoh-ogoh, giant figures of demons built from bamboo and paper and painted in fierce reds, blues, greens and purples, with fangs and bulging eyes. They are carried through the streets with noise and torches and many are then burned, to clear the island of bad spirits. Then everything stops. For twenty-four hours no one works, travels or lights a fire or a lamp; the airport closes and the streets are empty. With no electric light, the night sky over Bali is black and full of stars. In the days before, villagers in white walk to the sea to purify temple objects.
#0B0B12Nyepi darkThe island with every light out.#C4161COgoh-ogoh redPainted demon figures on the eve.#F28A1ATorch orangeTorches and bonfires of the parade.#FAFAF5Melasti whiteWhite dress for the walk to the sea.Values are fair approximations, not official shades.
Read about the colours
Written by the Rang desk with AI assistance. Background: "Nyepi" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.