In Reply to: nyepi day restrictions posted by gcbrett on Wednesday, 16. January 2008 at 08:19 Bali Time:
I have copied this definition previously from some unamed site
"Nyepi" Holiday ( 1924 ) Icaka New Year, the day of absolute silence throughout the island when no activity is done, no traffic is seen anywhere no fire is lit and no amusement held along the day. It's the day of self introspection for Hindu followers when the entire island turns to be just like being deserted.
On Nyepi day itself, every street is quiet - there are nobody doing their normal daily activities. There is usually Pecalangs (traditional Balinese security man) who controls and checks for street security. Pecalang wear a black uniform and a Udeng or Destar (a Balinese traditional "hat" that is usually used in ceremony). The Pecalangs main task is not only to control the security of the street but also to stop any activities that disturb Nyepi. No traffic is allowed, not only cars but also people, who have to stay in their own houses. Light is kept to a minimum or not at all, the radio or TV is turned down and, of course, no one works. Even love making, this ultimate activity of all leisure times, is not supposed to take place, nor even attempted. The whole day is simply filled with the barking of a few dogs, the shrill of insect and is a simple long quiet day in the calendar of this otherwise hectic island. On Nyepi the world expected to be clean and everything starts anew, with Man showing his symbolic control over himself and the "force" of the World, hence the mandatory religious control.