More on Agogo

Picture of men carrying Arjuna as they sing and dance!

So the afternoon of Agogo was spent first at the temple praying (will describe prayer soon!) And then eating and then Agogo parade essentially. Basically at around eight, everyone arrives at their local temple (of course wearing traditional clothes which one must wear at any ceremony). At the temple, you get a good seat and hope your butt doesn't go numb from sitting on concrete for maybe three hours! Because then the village parades its Agogos! These are huge statues of different demons and gods made mostly out of Styrofoam with a bamboo base from which 10-15 men carry this Balinese style float.
So first, all Agogos are presented of course with live music (as more men carry along drums). Batuan had eight total. All unique. Some grutesque, others sexual, some funny and some quite heroic. After all have been initially displayed, each one is redisplayed with a little show. Each show is different. All have live music, some with full choral songs and chants, others with full length dance numbers, others with a story etc..! It is a real show! So much time is clearly spent preparing these little skits for the village and alas, this is how the Balinese celebrate their New Year's eve!
After all have been displayed, we parade back to our house, following which ever Agogo's are headed that way!


Los Maria and I watching Agogo!!