Bali has two different calendar systems – the saka calendar, based on lunar cycles, and the 210-day pawukon calendar, said to originate from rice growing cycles. Each year, to mark the start of the Saka year, the Balinese enjoy Nyepi, a public holiday encompassing total silence, meditation and fasting. The entire island shuts down for the day, and no travelling, work or noise of any kind is permitted. Balinese people will usually possess one of 4 first names: Wayan, Made, Nyoman or Ketut. Translated, these mean ‘first born’, ‘second born’, ‘third born’ and ‘fourth born’. The same names are given to both males and females.
