Gianyar, Regency

Youngsters of Gianyar to Celebrate New Year

New Year’s celebrations in Gianyar are enjoyed by many, especially youngsters. Those in the region express their joys in many ways. Some gather in the village hall or village security post. They usually set up a rather high-powered sound system.

They dance while listening to the music. On these occasions, some of them donate food or drinks voluntarily to be consumed together. This activity is generally commenced at 21.00 LT and will finish at 03.00 LT the next morning.
For those who are not interested in these activities, preferring to visit recreational places, one of these is on the beach. Some beaches commonly visited are Lebih, Air Jeruk, Masceti and Saba. Amongst them, Lebih Beach is the most favored. Apart from having panoramic views, the beach also provides tens of food outlets that offer assorted seafood specialties. Everybody may take a seat at a preferable outlet. Whilst eating or drinking, they can see the spread of Penida Island or the view of the high towering Grand Bali Beach behind Sanur Beach with its twinkling of lights.
Some other youngsters take advantage of this good opportunity by carrying out positive activities, like those done by the Sekaa Taruna (village youth organization) of Putra Sasana from Southern Ubud. According to Chief Village of Ubud, his youngsters hold a bazaar at the village hall at the Ubud intersection every New Year. Profits of this bazaar are used to add to their organization treasury that will later will be allocated to fund activities like anniversary celebrations.
Sekaa Teruna Maragawi, sub village of Kalah Peliatan, also does the same thing. They do not name it a bazaar, but they prefer to call it Warung Mini (Mini Stall). At this small size stall, they provide snacks and drink, also take advantage of the profits, adding to their cash.
Wayan Parsa, a former sub village officer was glad to see such positive activity done by the youngsters in his sub village. Apart from gathering with friends, they also raise funds from their activities. According to Ni Made Suarjani, a mother from Ubud, other than holding bazaars, youngsters can also take this opportunity for introspection.
In her opinion, mankind in general often does not care about themselves. This moment should be used to contemplate, or ask ourselves what we did last year, whether we made mistakes or deficiencies. All of these things should be used as mirrors to leap into the upcoming New Year. The owner of a sculpture art shop expected that life would be better than the previous year.
For Ni Wayan Sriwiani, a LPD (Village Finance Agency) officer in Ubud, New Year should be treated the same as Shivaratri, namely as a contemplation day. We can contemplate what we have done and will do in the future. Made Marayasa from Pengosekan thinks the Christmas New Year celebration can be made equivalent to the Nyepi celebration in Bali in which some days before Nyepi, both environment and inner-self clean ups are conducted so that in the New Year we will become fresher. (BTN/Suambara)