`Ogoh-ogoh' street parade mesmerizes residents, tourists

Thousands of tourists and Denpasar residents flocked to Catur Muka intersection in Puputan Badung on Monday afternoon to watch the street parade of 24 ogoh-ogoh (giant papier-mache effigies).

The 24 effigies, created by Sekaa Teruna Teruni/STT (youth groups) in banjar (customary villages), were created for an ogoh-ogoh competition organized by Denpasar municipality.

The noisy parade continued until the night and created congestion throughout the city, as thousands of ogoh-ogoh embodying various famous characters such as soccer player Ronaldinho, cartoon character Sponge Bob and Upin Ipin, as well as giant characters in puppet stories.

In Denpasar, there were 385 STT, each of which were allowed to create two or more ogoh-ogoh in various sizes.

Each STT held their own parade, involving all people in banjar from children to old people, accompanied by the striking sounds of Balinese gamelan instruments.

The parade was an annual opportunity to showcase the youths' creativity. Each group made eye-catching and colorful effigies. Some of the effigies represented characters that reflected contemporary issues.

One of the ogoh-ogoh joining the street parade was titled "Asu Gamplong" by ST Mekar Sari, Ubung, describing a three-headed dog. Standing behind the dog was a monster-like character bringing rabies vaccine injection needle.

ST Mekar Sari coordinator I Nyoman Agus Arianta said the effigy told a story based on an inherited puppet tale about a guard dog in hell named Asu Gamplong.

The guard dog was said to have brought calamity if it came to the earth, as it would spread a deadly disease.

"This *effigy* reflects what we think. During these last months, Bali has been haunted by the widespread rabies," Arianta said.

"The infection has even claimed lives. Hopefully, it's not the Asu Gamplong that has caused this contagion."

Arianta added that the group spent Rp 10 million to create the ogoh-ogoh. Banjar Tansiat group created an ogoh-ogoh named Salya Memurti.

The effigy depicted a story about a devilish giant, who passed on all his bad characteristics to his descendants.

The giant could also influence people to be evil, as well as deceive everybody with its angelic appearance.

"This ogoh-ogoh has the smoothest texture, and is very detailed and amazing," said Doni, a resident who took pictures of every ogoh-ogoh.

Made Sutapa of Banjar Tansiat said it took one-and-a half-months for the youth group in his banjar to finish the ogoh-ogoh, for a cost of Rp 25 million.

"The amount of money we have spent would not even be compensated if we won the first prize worth Rp 15 million.

"But we have always tried to put all efforts to create the best, from the planning until the finishing process," Sutapa said, adding that joining the competition was prestigious.

Head of the jury team, Nyoman Astita, said the effigies were assessed based on their originality, innovation, composition, form, creativity and the whole performance during the parade.

"All the effigies were good. It was hard for us to decide the winners."

As the effigies represent evil spirits that Hindus wish to purge, the giant dolls are usually burned soon after the parade is over.

"But now, the effigies are not burned straight away They will be displayed on the street or in front of each banjar until people lose interest," Sutapa said.