Nyepi in Bali: 8 Types of People During the Day of Silence

(Main image by Eyestetix Studio)

Nyepi, or The Day of Silence is easily one of the most unique things about Bali. In case you didn’t know, it’s the one day a year when Bali quite literally switches off for 24 hours, even the airport, for Balinese Hindus to meditate and pray. No work, no travel, no entertainment (and sometimes no internet!). It’s one of the rare moments you can experience true darkness and complete silence – because really, only Bali could pull off turning off an entire island, I think. 

You’ve probably already read about the ceremonies leading up to Nyepi; Melasti, Ogoh Ogoh parades, and all that. So I thought I’d keep things light and share a little pre-Nyepi entertainment: the different types of people during the day of silence. Which one do you think you are? 😉

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The Panic Shopper

The thought of not being able to leave the house (or hotel) for 24 hours sends some people straight into Doomsday Preppers mode. From a few days leading up to Nyepi until the day before, supermarkets across Bali are usually packed with people and their overflowing trolleys, with long cashier lines everywhere – shopping as if a month-long lockdown is coming.

Do yourself a favour and shop at least two weeks in advance

The Over-prepared

Just in case there’s no internet, they download 12 films, 3 full series, 5 podcasts, and a meditation app they absolutely won’t open… because they’ll be asleep by 9pm, halfway through their first film.

The Hotel Hustler

Some people book a hotel stay even when they live in Bali – because why not, it’s convenient. They start the day with slow buffet breakfast, and then a dip in the pool, followed by a film, maybe a gym session (if the hotel has one), snacks, then room service meals. What is meditation and self-reflection? Not on today’s itinerary.

Hotels in Bali offer Nyepi package for 2 nights

The Accidental Philosopher

In the silence, the thoughts start rolling in. Life choices, relationships, friendships…and all those ships. They consider reaching out to their ex, starting a new career, and becoming a morning person – all before sunset. By the end of the day, they’ve “found themselves” and wake up feeling like a new person.

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The Sleep-in Specialist

These group of people use Nyepi to fix three years of sleep debt. No internet? Perfect! That means no sneaky work emails, no WhatsApp group chats, no demands from the world. Life is good!

Oh, the joy of not knowing what time it is and not having a care in the world

The Public Enemy

Every year, there are always a few people who try to bend the rules, complain about the restrictions, and end up making the pecalang’s (village security) job harder. Please…don’t be this person!

The Star-Gazer

They wait all day for the night to come. Some come fully prepared with fancy lenses, others just step out onto rooftops or balconies. The sky during Nyepi is unreal though! In pitch black and total darnkess, the stars shine the brightest (didn’t mean for that to sound poetic, but it really is! lol).

You have to experience this at least once in your life

The True Believer

And last but not least, the ones who truly observe Nyepi – our Balinese brothers and sisters. Spending the day fasting, praying, meditating, and turning inward. While everyone else is just experiencing the silence, they’re living its meaning.

Everyone spends Nyepi differently. Some rest, some overthink, some just eat and sleep their way through it. But at the end of the day, it’s not really about how you spend it, it’s about understanding why it exists.

In Indonesia, we have a saying “di mana bumi kupijak, di situ langit ku junjung” ( wherever I stand, there I uphold the sky). So whatever it is you have planned for Nyepi, just remember to be still, be respectful, and let the island have its moment of silence. 

And to my Balinese friends, if you’re reading this, Rahajeng Nyepi – may peace and blessings be with you and your family.