Ogoh-Ogoh

Balinese culture · sculpture · tradition · celebration

Scary art form. Ogoh-ogoh are huge sculptures made to look frightening and represent evil or negativity in the world. They're created as part of a special Balinese Hindu celebration.

Built to burn. After the ogoh-ogoh parade through the village, the sculptures are set on fire in the cemetery field. This burning symbolizes destroying all the negative forces and evil traits.

Part of Nyepi. Ogoh-ogoh are paraded during Pangrupukan, which happens right before Nyepi, the Balinese New Year. The whole celebration is meant to cleanse the community and welcome a fresh start.

Show human flaws. These sculptures display scary faces and wild designs that represent the bad parts of human nature, like anger, greed, and selfishness that people want to leave behind.

Community creation. Villages work together to design and build their ogoh-ogoh, making it a shared art project that brings people together to celebrate their traditions.