Wednesday, March 25, 2009

ogoh-ogoh


The magnificent ogoh-ogoh are demonic creatures paraded up and down the streets of virtually every village in Bali on the day before Nyepi. Made of used paper and cement they are symbols of bad spirits. At the end of the day's ceremonies, the ogoh-ogoh are burned as a symbol of the winning of "Dharma—truth and good" against "Adharma—evil and bad". The eve of Nyepi is a night of noise and carrying on of all sorts with instruments, yelling and fireworks to attract the attention of the evil spirits on the last day of the year. When the evil spirits arrive just before dawn on Nyepi day, we are all hiding and quiet. The evil spirits look around and finding nothing of interest they leave for another year.

In January, the governing leaders decided to ban the making of ogoh-ogoh this year because it might disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Nyepi and would coincide closely with the upcoming elections. According to others, it was feared that some of the ogoh-ogoh might possibly resemble some of the candidates. I sketched these creatures from pictures in the local newspaper, books and photos adding some of my own touches. I could have painted them all day!

13 comments:

winna said...

What characters in a book---very colorful and done so very well

seesue said...

As always your sketches are interesting informative and FUN.

A Brush with Color said...

They could have resembled some of the candidates--that's a riot! How interesting, Jennifer. Love your figures here!

lyn said...

Wow!! These are great, and so very interesting to get a close up and personal view of a place I will probably never have a chance to experience. Thank you!

laura said...

Fiercesome! Your drawings really capture menace. What a great tradition, to burn the evil spirits.
That must be so satisfying!

Kaine said...

I love these paintings! So colorful and vibrant!

Judybec said...

Cool! nice job -- these are very lively creatures. Interesting to read about Bali.

Laura Frankstone said...

WONDERFUL!!!! Your colors are spectacular and the ogoh ogohs are very powerful and witty at the same time!

Sandy said...

Cool subjects and you would be a natural to create your own!! Interesting lesson as well.

{th}ink said...

These are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kazumiwannabe said...

Wah! These are fantastic! I love the way you composed the second painting, with the orange demon, it's gorgeous!

Margaret Ann said...

Magnificent! :)

Beth Baxter said...

The green one is my favorite.