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fumes The Camera as a Microphone

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Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

Ogoh-ogoh are statues built for the Ngrupuk parade, which takes place on the eve of Nyepi day in Bali, Indonesia.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

Ogoh-ogoh have form of mythological beings, mostly demons.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

As with many creative endeavours based on Balinese Hinduism, the creation of Ogoh-ogoh represents spiritual aims inspired by Hindu philosophy.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

The Ogoh-ogoh is a very recent addition to the Nyepi ceremonies, first appearing in Denpasar in the early 1980s.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

The forms of Ogoh-ogoh represent the Bhuta-Kala. Bhuta: eternal energy, Kala: eternal time, according to Hindu teachings.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

The imperceptible potentials of nature cannot be thoroughly explored by anyone.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

Philosophically, civilised men are required to manage the natural resources without damaging the environment itself.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

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.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

Nyepi is a day of silence, fasting and meditation. In Denpasar, Bali's capital, the airport is shut to all but transit flights.

Motor vehicles are allowed on the streets only for emergencies. Hotel guests are confined to the grounds of their resorts. Everything, from the smallest shops to labyrinthine government offices, is shut down.

Balinese security guards, called Pecalang, help enforce silence.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

A group of tech-savvy Denpasar locals have bridged tradition with technology by creating a voice-activated Ogoh-ogoh for this year’s Ngrupuk Parade.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA

Usually, the movement of Ogoh-ogoh, which are often several meters high, is controlled manually by a team of men.

Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA
Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA
Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA
Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA
Fumes - Before the silence - photo by ROKMA
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