#Indonesia - Surfing contest, cultural festival in celebration of South Nias 14th anniversary

To commemorate the 14^th anniversary of South Nias regency, the provincial administrations plans to hold two interesting events called South Nias Open Surfing Contest 2017 (NSOSC 2017) and South Nias Regency Traditional Song, Culture and Tradition Festival.

The two events will be held for four days from July 25 to 28 at Sorake Island. They are results of a partnership effort between the provincial administrations through South Nias culture, tourism, youth and sports department with South Nias Surfers Association (APNS) and supported by tourism ministry.

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 “We’re going to hold a surfing competition and it’s open for local and international surfers. The main goal is definitely to increase the number of local and overseas tourists to South Nias,” explained South Nias cuture, tourism, youth and sports department head Anggreani.

The surfing contest itself is an annual event and the last time it was held was last year at Ya’ahowu Party.

Other than providing winners with Rp 87 million worth of prizes, NSOSC 2017 aims to scout new talents in Nias that can be trained to compete in National and International leagues in the future.

“NSOSC 2017 is divided into three categories: Men’s (16 years and above), women’s and grommet (men’s and women’s),” Anggreani added.

As for the festival, it will feature traditional dances and rituals of South Nias 

such as faluaya, famadaya harimao, stone-jumping, moyo dance and fataelesa.

 

Sorake beach is a haven for surfers, it’s included in the 10 best surfing spots in the world and said to be the second best after Hawaii. During the months of June – July surfers flock the beach because the waves are able to reach up to 10 to 12 meters high. Another uniqueness of the beach: one will not find anything but coral reefs in it.

Nias island is reachable by sea using a ferry boat from Sibolga city in North Sumatra with a distance of 85 miles or 12 hours. Travelers will then arrive at Mount Sitoli, the biggest city in Nias Island. Continue the journey from Mount Sitoli to Teluk Dalam city for about four hours using a four-wheeled vehicle. However, for a shorter traveling time, a flight is available from Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra. (asw)

Source - TheJakartaPost

Bali to turn into 'Silence of the Land'

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March 28 this year will mark the beginning of the Hindu New Year of Saka 1939. On this annual observance, known locally as as “nyepi”, the usually bustling island of Bali will grind to a peaceful halt for 24 hours.

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Between the hours of 6 a.m. until the following morning at the same time, everyone on the resort island will stop their daily activities, refrain from using electricity and remain in their homes.

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The entire island will come to a standstill, with no scheduled incoming or outgoing flights from the airport. The seaport will also be closed, broadcast stations (including cable networks) will go silent, streets will be empty of all traffic, all shops will be closed and visitors will be confined to their hotel or villa for the entire period.

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Everyone on the island, both residents and visitors, is required to abide by the Hindu religious rules called Catur Brata Penyepian. Encouraging meditation and reflection on this day of seclusion, the rules consist of amati geni (no open fires or flames), amati lelanguan (no pleasurable activities), amati karya (no work or labor) and amati lelungan (no journeys).

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 During this day of dedication to complete silence, community law enforcement officials called pecalang make their rounds to ensure that no persons, no light and no noise are emanating from any homes in the neighborhood.

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Nyepi rituals

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There is a series of rituals conducted before and after the day of Nyepi, which take place in every part of the island. Below are some of the most notable of these rituals.

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The first one is called melasti, a procession that features a pilgrimage to the sea to purify each temple’s religious paraphernalia. Usually performed three to four days before Nyepi, this ritual event incorporates a beach component, with pilgrims from various villages all over the island bearing temple heirlooms making long journeys on foot toward the coast.

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The second is the Bhuta Yajna ritual, which is performed one day before Nyepi, in order to vanquish negative elements and create a balance with God, mankind and nature.

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 On this day, Hindu adherents conduct ritual sacrifices, with different levels of sacrifice determined by the slaughtering of different types of animals, such as chickens, ducks and pigs.

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Just before sunset, which is around 4 to 5 p.m., the ritual of Pengrupukan takes place. At this time, locals parade the streets carrying ogoh-ogoh, giant demonic statues made of bamboo and paper, symbolizing malevolent spirits, while passionately playing a deafening mixture of the kulkul traditional bamboo bell and gamelan music. On the evening after the parade—which is actually the Saka New Year’s Eve, the ogoh-ogoh are ceremoniously burned in an all-encompassing inferno. The burning symbolizes the eradication of all evil influences in the lives of adherents.
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The peak of this religious celebration is on the third day, when people retreat from all daily activities into the silence of their homes."
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One day after the silence, Balinese Hindus perform the ngembak geni ritual, in which they visit relatives to exchange forgiveness.
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