The Balinese has their own calendar system. Two, in fact,
running in parallel.
- Sasih
The Sasih cycle is a 12 lunar month calendar system. Each
month begins on the day after a new moon (tilem). The
middle of each month is the full moon (purnama).
- Pawukon
The Pawukon calendar system is believed to be indigenous
to the Balinese, possibly rooted in the thousand-year-old
rice-growing cycle of the island. There are six months
to a Pawukon year, and 35 days to a Pawukon month. So
a Pawukon year is 210 days. Each Pawukon month is divided
into many shorter cycles (weeks) that run concurrently.
The most important weeks are the 3, 5, and 7 day weeks
Certain days of the Sasih are considered important,
namely tilem and purnama. Temple anniversaries and festivals
usually occur on a purnama. Days prior to a Sasih new year,
the whole island participates in celebrations and presenting
offerings and performing ritual temple cleansing. The climax
is the day of the new year: Nyepi. On this day, the
entire island goes into reflection and meditation, shutting
down everything, including electricity. So, don't be surprised
if your hotel manager asks you to close your curtain on
a Nyepi day.
On the Pawukon cycle, certain conjunction of the different
week cycles are considered significant. On these days, ceremonies
and sacred dances are performed in the temples, or people
immerse themselves in prayers and meditation.
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