The Ogoh-Ogoh Parade (Pengrupukan) takes place annually in Bali (except for cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic) on the eve of Nyepi, the Day of Silence, which marks the transition to the new year according to the Balinese calendar. Ogoh-Ogoh are large figures of terrifying demons and evil spirits crafted from papier-mâché.
Previously, Bali’s provincial government provided financial support for building Ogoh-Ogoh and even awarded cash prizes for the best creations. However, in 2024, this tradition was paused to ensure the smooth execution of the national presidential elections. The head of Bali’s Provincial Cultural Department, I Gede Arya Sugiarta, confirmed that there will also be no competitions for the best Ogoh-Ogoh in 2025. “The Bali provincial government is not organizing an Ogoh-Ogoh competition; let districts and villages host their own,” Sugiarta stated.
The provincial government announced that its priorities and resources would now be allocated to other cultural events such as the Bali Arts Festival and the Bali Jani Arts Festival. Sugiarta clarified that the cessation of provincial funding does not mean that no Ogoh-Ogoh events will take place in 2025. He believes that competitions for the best statues are more effective at the regency and municipal levels.
Sugiarta dismissed the notion that the provincial-level Ogoh-Ogoh competition was canceled due to a lack of budget. In 2023, the competition’s budget at the provincial level reached 3 billion rupiah. The decision now rests with local authorities regarding whether Ogoh-Ogoh parades will be held in 2025 with local funding and support.
Nyepi in 2025 will begin at 5:59 AM on Saturday, March 29, and end at 6:00 AM the following morning, Sunday, March 30. The Ogoh-Ogoh parades leading up to Nyepi will start at sunset on Friday, March 28.
The giant demon figures are created collectively by local communities, with preparations often beginning months before the festival. Balinese people take this tradition very seriously. The event is marked by fierce competition among villages, with young people dedicating weeks to crafting intricate figures. The creators of the most impressive statues often receive monetary rewards.
During the Pengrupukan parade, as the sun sets, young people carry the monster figures through their village streets and spin them three times at intersections to confuse evil spirits. The celebrations typically conclude with the giant figures being left by the roadside and set ablaze. Parade participants then return home to observe the following day in silence and contemplation.
Sources: detik.com
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