Thousands of people celebrated the winter solstice in Hobart with a Balinese demon-purging Ogoh-Ogoh procession and burning ritual. The event was a highlight of MONA’s midwinter Dark Mofo festival
Each year, Dark Mofo attracts crowds of up to 10,000 people each night. There are fun and creative events such as the City of Hobart Dark Mofo Winter Feast and a large public art precinct appropriately named Dark Park
A highlight this year was the paper-mache ogoh-ogoh Bali monster, designed to resemble a weedy sea dragon.
The ogoh ogoh Bali was created by Balinese artists with the help of staff and students from the University of Tasmania.
During the first week of the mid-winter festival, guests were invited to write down their fears and pin them to the effigy.Then on the night before the winter solstice, everyone banged pots and pans in a noisy procession from Parliament Lawns to Dark Park.
At Dark Park, the ogoh-ogoh was set alight.The burning of the ogoh-ogoh was a symbolic burning away of fears.
Dark Mofo brings Tasmanians together to embrace the longest and darkest night each year.
The Balinese ogoh-ogoh ceremony is a perfect match for the festival as it is a way to cleanse fears while looking forward to the days becoming longer.
This cross-cultural exchange added to the rich cultural fabric of Dark Mofo.
The Balinese ogoh-ogoh ceremony was such a success you can probably expect stronger ties between Dark Mofo and Indonesia’s people and culture in future.The event was sponsored by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism (Wonderful Indonesia), Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia for Victoria and Tasmania, and the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Discover Indonesia
Bali is a wonderful place to visit for a holiday. Here are 10 things to do in Bali. Of all the fun activities, river rafting in Bali is guaranteed to provide thrills for all ages.
Bali has a fantastic range of accommodation to choose from. While in Bali, chill out at a luxury resort in Nusa Dua or treat yourself to one of the many new resorts in Bali, such as Alila Seminyak. Pan Pacific Bali is a top spot for the family or you might like to consider staying at Elephant Safari Park for an encounter with the elephants.
Where to experience Ogoh Ogoh?
Ask your driver. Local knowledge is essential as main roads are all blocked and traffic is impossible in a car. With your time constraints, and carrying a 5yo (no matter how good a traveller, it will be an overwhelming experience for him), it might serve you best to go somewhere close to your hotel; there are parades everywhere. But if possible, get out of tourist area maybe into denpasar.
Couple years ago, Balinese friends took us to their compound in Denpasar and we carried their Ogoh through packed streets with 100s of thousands of people (literally). Loud music, bright lights, massive crowds lining streets for kilometres, really happy people, festive spirit. We saw only one other group of westerners in the throngs that night. Strangers spray you with water, lots of people wanted to take their photos with us, the ogoh ogoh are amazing, yes graphic, demonic, harrowing, all evil sprits being driven out of town. Impossible to get there or back without some local knowledge and preferably on the back of scooters. No exaggeration to say this is one of my life's most memorable experiences. Almost as good is the following day and night (Silent Day) where you can sit rooftop of your Kuta hotel and hear birds singing in the trees. No traffic. Then that night you will actually see starts in the sky! I am going again this year. Can't wait.
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