Living in silence (Indonesia, Bali)

On the island of Bali , silence is more than an absence of noise: it is a presence. Every year, Nyepi , the Balinese New Year, imposes a total shutdown on the entire island: no fire, no light, no movement , not even public speaking. This unique tradition aims to deceive evil spirits by giving them the illusion of a deserted place. But beyond this day, ritual silence infuses Balinese daily life: we speak of diam-diam to designate what is lived in seclusion, with modesty and respect. This approach to the world contrasts with the often noisy rhythm of tourism. Here, stillness has weight , and silence structures the relationships between the living, the ancestors and the gods .