Shaking the shadows to cleanse the soul before the New Year

Cultures · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In Bali, giant sculptures known as ogoh-ogoh are paraded through the streets to represent human negativity. These massive figures are shaken to simulate movement before being burned to symbolically eliminate evil from the universe. This tradition is a key part of the Pangrupukan ritual held before the Saka New Year.

The ogoh-ogoh tradition is a relatively modern cultural practice, estimated to have developed in the 1980s. While simpler forms existed earlier, the term itself was not found in Balinese dictionaries before 1980 and was first recorded in the Bali Post on March 6, 1984. The name is derived from the Balinese word 'ogah', meaning 'to shake', reflecting the way the statues are repeatedly shaken during parades to create an illusion of dancing. Before the term ogoh-ogoh gained popularity, these objects were referred to as onggokan, which means something that is repeatedly hoisted. This practice is believed to have roots in lelakut, which are scarecrows used to protect rice fields from birds.

Historically, these parades were part of the Pangrupukan ritual, held the day before Nyepi (the Saka New Year) to neutralize negative forces. The statues often depict Butakala—supernatural beings from the 'lower realm' that represent negative human qualities. However, modern iterations have expanded to include mythological animals, characters from wayang shadow puppetry, or even contemporary public figures like celebrities and politicians. These parades are a key component of the Tawur Kesanga procession, a ritual intended to appease beings from lower realms. This tradition is often celebrated through local competitions held across Bali almost every year.

The evolution of the tradition has seen significant shifts in material and technology. While traditionally crafted from woven bamboo or rattan, styrofoam became popular in the early 2010s before being banned by the Bali regional government in 2015 for environmental reasons. Today, innovation continues with mechanically operated figures, such as a 2016 model from Panjer that could be controlled via a smartphone using Bluetooth, or others utilizing hydraulic systems to stand or recline. To maintain cultural authenticity, local authorities have encouraged the use of gamelan baleganjur music instead of loudspeakers. This traditional percussion is thought to enhance the taksu, or spiritual charisma, of the paraded figures.

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