WHAT YEAR IS IT NOW IN BALI: IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE ABOUT THE BALI CALENDAR

Today we will talk about the Balinese Pavukon calendar, an extremely interesting phenomenon of Balinese culture. And we will answer the question, what is the year in Bali after all.

History and origins of the Balinese Pavukon calendar

The Pavukon calendar is deeply rooted in the religious and mystical beliefs of the Balinese and continues to be a key aspect of their lives. So, traditional holidays are celebrated on it, for example, the Day of Silence - the Balinese New Year. In addition, a special calendar attracts tourists to study the local religion, traditions and history.

Ancient foundations and development

The history of the Balinese calendar goes back to ancient times, when settlers brought their system of cycles to the island. Soon, local residents began to distinguish the seasons from it. The calendar is based on the phases of the moon, the movement of the sun and other cosmic bodies. Such a system has taken root well in Bali, because there are no seasons in the usual sense for Europeans. There is no cold and hot season, but there is a rainy season and a dry season.

The ancient Balinese adopted a very complex calendar, it is not so easy to figure it out. However, it has become a tool for establishing a connection between cosmic phenomena, religious holidays and the daily life of the Balinese. Ancient scientists and astronomers of the island observed the movement of celestial bodies, creating accurate tables to determine the time and establish holidays.

Religious Meaning

The Balinese calendar plays a key role in the religious life of the island. It determines the days of various rituals, ceremonies and holidays associated with gods and spirits, which, according to the beliefs of the Balinese, affect people's lives and nature. Many days have their own religious and symbolic significance, and the Balinese follow these traditions to strengthen their ties to the deities and ensure harmony in the world.

Understanding the intricacies of the Balinese calendar

The Balinese calendar consists of 210 days or 10 weeks, called "uiku". There are 10 cycles at the same time, which consist of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 days. Each day in the calendar has its name based on the place of that day in each of the cycles, which means that any day has ten different names here.

The intersections of different cycles form holidays. But this is not the only way they are defined. So, every tenth is considered a day of rest.

There are 30 weeks in a year, i.e. 210 days, and there are 55 days, called "urukun kembon", which are added to every twelfth year to compensate for the difference between the lunar and solar calendars.

Each week in the calendar is associated with certain deities, colors and objects. For example, the first week is called "Uiku Sani" and corresponds to the deity Vishnu, the color red and the magnolia flower.

Day of Silence in Bali


The Balinese calendar is rich in holidays and ceremonies. One of the most famous holidays is "Nyepi", or the Day of Silence, which is celebrated at the beginning of the Balinese year. On this day, the inhabitants of the island observe absolute silence, do not light a fire and do not leave their homes to celebrate the new cycle of life and purify their souls. And only ceremonial guards can walk the streets, strictly monitoring the observance of traditions. And even among tourists.

How is the tradition of the Balinese calendar kept in Bali?

Bali is a great example of how people can work hard to preserve their cultural heritage. The Balinese proudly preserve and pass on their traditions and this is a key factor in maintaining the culture of the island.

Oral transmission of traditions

One of the important ways to preserve traditions in Bali is the oral transmission of knowledge, and this also applies to the Pavukon calendar. The older generations pass on their experience and knowledge to the younger ones, who become interested in the tradition and study the calendar.

Family and community rituals

The Balinese continue to hold rituals according to their calendar. It attracts tourists and also brings generations closer together. Holidays according to the traditional calendar are another way to pass on the values of ancestors to the younger generation. And just a very interesting experience that helps families to have a good time.

Crafts, trade and agriculture

Many traditional crafts and arts remain alive in Bali and all of them are linked to the Balinese calendar. So, 210 days (the length of the Balinese year) is the cycle of growing rice on the island. And trading days (market days) here occur once every three days - in accordance with the tradition of cycles in the Balinese calendar.

Education and tourism

Preserving traditions also includes telling about them through educational institutions. Schools and universities in Bali introduce the study of the cultural and religious aspects of the island into the curriculum. Many young Balinese learn about the traditions associated with the Balinese calendar in this way. The Balinese also work in the tourism sector, demonstrating their culture and traditions to the guests of the island, which helps to popularize the local cultural heritage.

Sale of Pavukon as a souvenir

The Pavukon calendar can be purchased here at local markets, souvenir shops and small shops. Agree, anyone who is interested in foreign culture and tradition will be interested in studying such a complex system as Pavukon.

So what year is it in Bali now?

According to the Balinese calendar, 2023 is 1945.
You can talk for a long time about those traditions and holidays that are associated with the traditional Balinese calendar. And we will write about all this in our future articles.

We really hope that we have interested you in the traditional Balinese calendar and the culture of the island. Read more about Bali, get acquainted with the paradise island in our articles. And rent accommodation through Baliving - it's convenient, fast and reliable. We offer a large catalog of accommodations, including those in the historical districts of Bali and those places from which it is easier to get to the sights.
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