M

embers of the Hindu communities in Mataram, West Lombok and Central Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) have started creating the colorful giant effigies, locally known as ogoh-ogoh, which will be paraded in the carnival a day ahead of the Nyepi Hindu Day of Silence, which falls on March 12 this year.

This year’s ogoh-ogoh carnival is expected to be merrier than previous years as not only more ogoh-ogoh figures will be displayed, but it will also be marked by the local wisdom of the inter-ethnic and cultural communities.

“The number of ogoh-ogoh paraded will be three times as many as last year. The ogoh-ogoh characters will also be diverse and reflect acculturation of inter-ethnic culture and religion as a form of tolerance,” Mataram Ogoh-ogoh Council head I Nyoman Artha told The Jakarta Post recently.

Artha said in 2012, as many as 45 area coordinators displayed 109 ogoh-ogoh effigies in the ogoh-ogoh carnival, while 100 area coordinators from Mataram, West Lombok and Central Lombok have registered to take part in the event this year.

“Each of the coordinators can make up to three ogoh-ogoh figures, so the number could amount to between 200 and 300. This is purely on the initiative of the people, especially members of the Hindu community in greeting the Nyepi day of silence,” said Artha.

A day ahead of the auspicious day, the Hindu community in Lombok, like in Bali, also perform the Pecaruan and Pengerupukan rituals, also called Tawur Kesanga, as the ritual is carried out on Tilem Kesanga, or the ninth month of the Balinese Hindu calendar.

The ritual is aimed at driving away or eradicating the Buta Kala bad influences, or evil spirits that exist in human nature, or to harmonize the universe and its contents again.

The ogoh-ogoh is a symbol of Buta Kala, or negative forces coexisting with humans and nature. Each of the ogoh-ogoh figures is given the name of a Kala according to its shape.

Some of them mean disease, drugs, conflict, greed and corruption. The Hindu community believes the ogoh-ogoh carnival could destroy Buta Kala’s inner self and turn it into a better self.

For Hindu followers, life consists of positive and negative forces that coexist. Harmonization is necessary so the negative force, or Buta Kala, does not interfere with life.

This year’s ogoh-ogoh carnival theme is “Celebrate Nyepi Saka New Year 1935 by forging friendship ties and inter-religious tolerance in Mataram City that is progressive, religious and cultured”.

“The ogoh-ogoh parade is part of arts and culture in Mataram which is not only owned by the Hindu community but also the multi-ethnic society. So this year, we will present the diverse colors of the inter-ethnic and inter-religious community,” said Artha.

The ogoh-ogoh carnival in Mataram each year goes through Jl. Pejanggik until Jl, Selaparang, which are the main thoroughfares in the city and passes through the business district in the city. The carnival will begin at around 2:30 p.m. local time and usually finishes late in the afternoon.

He added besides the carnival, the event would also present traditional Sasak music as a symbol of harmony among the ethnicities and religions.

In recent years, the ogoh-ogoh carnival in Mataram has served as a tourism and cultural icon for NTB. The NTB Tourism Agency has also promoted the event to the international community in an effort to boost tourist arrivals in NTB.