What is Ogoh Ogoh?

'Ogoh- ogoh' is very identical with 'Nyepi' Day in Bali. It can be said that 'ogoh ogoh' is the most interesting event among the series of 'Nyepi' Ceremony. 'Ogoh ogoh' are paraded in the 'Pengrupukan' night, which is a day before the 'Saka' New Year or so called 'Nyepi' Day. 'Ogoh-ogoh' whose appearance is very scary is usually paraded around the village or town by the 'Banjar' (traditional village society which is dominated by the youth). 'Ogoh ogoh' is a kind of statue / giant doll which is made of light materials such as the combination of wood, bamboo, paper, and styrofoam so it is easy to be lifted and paraded. With the development or technology and materials, people prefer using styrofoam because of its lightweight and easiness to be carved and processed, but of course it costs more.

'Ogoh-ogoh' is made in form of 'Bhuta Kala' (evil spirits and creatures who like to disturb human’s life). 'Bhuta Kala' is usually symbolized as a Rakshasa (giant creature) with scary and ferocious appearance. 'Bhuta Kala' is the kind of evil creatures which possessed bad nature in them. In Hindu and Buddha mythology, it is said that the word “rakshasa” means “cruelty”, which is the opposite of the word “raksha” which means “tranquility”. By parading 'ogoh-ogoh' and in the end burn or destroy it, it is expected that those vices could be kept away from human race. Besides taking 'Rakshasa' form, 'ogoh ogoh' is also often symbolized in other forms such as mythological creature like Garuda, dragon, etcetera, and forms of God and Goddess like God 'Siwa', Ganesha, or 'Durgha'. Nowadays, there are even 'ogoh ogoh' portraying famous people, celebrities, or villains. Despite of entertaining, actually this thing is a bit deviated from the concept of 'ogoh ogoh' which should show mythological evil creatures. However, some artists who created this kind of 'ogoh-ogoh' argued that now people also have dominated by evil spirit and have done so many bad things such as terrorist, 'corruptor' and  anymore. They  think that those vices must also be destroyed and kept away from human.

The name 'ogoh ogoh' is taken from Balinese “ogah-ogah” which means something which is shaken. In fact, when 'ogoh-ogoh' is paraded around it is always shaken by the carriers of 'ogoh ogoh' to make it looks like moving or dancing. Besides that, the pose of one 'ogoh-ogoh' to the others is different and various, so each will have different moves when it is shaken. Even, now with the development of technology, many 'ogoh-ogoh' can be moved assisted by machine or other tools. There are so many version of 'ogoh ogoh' history in Bali.. 'Ogoh ogoh' Festival Usually, before the 'Pengrupukan' night, an 'ogoh-ogoh' festival will be held in 'Puputan' Park 'Denpasar'. 'Ogoh-ogoh' which could enter into this event are selected from some region of 'Denpasar'. This event is hold to honor and appreciate the creation of 'ogoh-ogoh' which possesses high art and theme value. 'Ogoh ogoh' which are entered this festival are not haphazardly taken, because they have been undergone a selection process. These 'ogoh-ogoh' must have high value of art, theme, and entertainment. The theme which is usually used is around the story of 'Wayang' (Ramayana or Mahabaratha) of other Hindu stories. Besides that, when they arrive in the area of 'Catur Muka' Crossroad 'Puputan', the lifters and their crews must show a dance show or attraction which tell the story or theme of their 'ogoh ogoh' in front of the judges. 'Ogoh ogoh' festival in 'Puputan' is usually held a few hours before Sandi Kala or evening.

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