The Barong Dance

Bali Personal Drivers - "Barong Dance" and "Kecak Dance" are two types of traditional Balinese dances are very famous in the world. Barong Ket, or better known as Barong Dance and Kecak Dance has been recognized by almost the entire world as Bali trademark. And almost all agents or travel agency that organizes tour package in Bali, always recommending their clients to see Barong Dance and Kecak Dance.

Introduction

Barong Dance is a typical Balinese dance that originated from the treasures of Pre-Hindu culture. Barong is a mythological animal with four legs that have the supernatural powers and is considered as the protector. Allegedly said "Barong" comes from the word "Bahrwang" or be interpreted as a bear. But in reality Barong in Bali is not only embodied in animal with four legs but some are two-legged.
Regarding the emergence of Barong in Bali. Many experts ensure that the origin of the Barong is a Chinese lion dance that emerged during the Tang Dynasty (7-10 century) and spread to various states in East Asia.
Barong mask in Bali made of wood that taken from haunted places such as tombs, therefore Barong became a sacred object which is sanctified by the Hindu people of Bali. Judging from the iconography, the Barong masks that located in Bali is appears to look a blend of Bali Kuna culture with Hindu culture in particularly the patterned of Hindu Buddhist culture. The Barong mask basically there are also in Buddhists countries such as Japan and China.
Barong is considered as a manifestation of "Banaspati Raja" or the king of the jungle. The Balinese people regard a lion is the king of the jungle's that most terrible. The same concept is also found in India, China and in other parts of Indonesia. In Java, a figure likes Barong Ket in Bali called "Barong Singa" and "Reog Ponorogo". When examined in depth about its iconography, indeed the basic shape of the mask is the face of a lion. In India it is called "Shimamukha" depiction or "Khirtimukha". Here the lion was chosen as the figure of Barong because the lion has the ability to destroy the forces of evil.
In Bali Barong Ket is considered as a symbol of goodness. In the Barong Dance performances in Bali, Barong Ket figure used as a symbol of victory and "Rangda" is a symbol of evil which is always defeated. However, outside the context of the art performances, Balinese people believe that the two figures that have the same position as the protectors of the people.

Barong in Bali is owned by a village or "sekaa" (Balinese traditional groups). At certain moments, such as at Galungan and Kuningan, they often perform in the road or at home in his village or traveled to other villages. The performance is done professionally by collecting money from the people who watch their performances. Furthermore, they use the money for the welfare of their sekaa. This kind of show is called "ngelelawang".

Various kinds of Barong Dance :

• 1. Barong Bangkal
  "Bangkal" mean old pig with huge body. Barong Bangkal is usually called Barong Bangkung or Barong Celeng. Generally staged around the village (ngelelawang) by two dancers on certain days that are considered sacred or the time of the plague attacked the village without bringing a story and accompanied with Gamelan Batel / Tetamburan.


• 2. Barong Landung
  Barong Landung is a realization of Barong "susuhunan" (The Majesty), who have the human form reaches three feet tall. Barong Landung, is not the same with the Barong Ket that has been commercialized. Barong Landung more sacred and is believed to be his strength as a protector and giver of welfare of the people. Barong Landung often found around South Bali, such as Badung, Denpasar, Gianyar and Tabanan.


• 3. Barong Macan
  Barong Macan is resembles a tiger and the kind of Barong which is famous among the people of Bali. Staged by way around the village and sometimes comes with "Arja", a kind of traditional Balinese drama and accompanied with Gamelan Batel.


• 4. Barong Ket
  Barong Ket or Barong Keket costume generally describe a combination of a lion, tiger, and bull. Barong body is decorated with carvings made of leather, affixed to the sparkling mirror glass and fur made from perasok (fiber from a plant that similar to pandanus leaf), palm fiber or some of crow fur.

Watch a Barong Dance

Barong Ket is kind of Barong Dance that most widely available in Bali and most often staged as a tourist attraction. Similar to the Kecak Dance, Barong Dance is an art performing that combines the art of drama and the dance art.
There are several places which perform the Barong Dance, one famous place that every day performs Barong Dance is Batubulan village, in Gianyar. Moreover, there are also some other places such as Kesiman and Suwung which is included in the city of Denpasar.

As we mentioned above, the Barong costume generally describe a combination of a lion, tiger, and bull. Barong body is decorated with carvings made of leather, affixed to the sparkling mirror glass and fur made from perasok (fiber from a plant that similar to pandanus leaf), palm fiber or some of crow fur.
The Barong character played by two dancers (juru saluk/juru bapang). The first dancer took up positions at the front, playing a movement of the head and front legs of Barong and the second dancer took up positions at behind, playing a movement of the tail and hind legs of Barong.

Barong Dance depicts the fight between virtue (dharma) and evil (adharma). The manifestation of virtue is referenced by Barong character, while the manifestation of falsehood is referenced by Rangda characters. This is the two power that have always opposed otherwise known as "rwa bhineda" in Balinese culture.

Rangda is a scary figure with two pointy fangs in his mouth. Rangda is the Queen of the "leyaks" in Balinese mythology. This scary creatures, mentioned often kidnap and eat children and lead an evil witches army to fight Barong which is a symbol of the forces of good.

Besides Barong and Rangda the Barong dance performances are also equipped with other figures, such as Apes (friend of the Barong), Dewi Kunti, Sahadeva (son of Dewi Kunti), the Rangda followers and the Barong followers.

There is something unique from the Barong Dance was at the end of its performances there was a scene where the followers of Barong or so-called "sadeg patih" which were in "kerauhan" (possessed of the Holy Spirit) will thrust "keris" (a dagger) into their own bodies or called "ngurek". They will thrust a dagger into chest, stomach or their cheeks, yet you do not be afraid because they will not be hurt. They will "ngurek" until a "pemangku" splatter holy water on them so that they are aware of the kerauhan conditions. Even though Barong Dance staged as tourist attractions, but the sacred elements in the Barong Dance will never be lost.

Barong Dance is a dance which is full of stories and in this event also punctuated by jokes that provoke laughter from the audience. If you are travelling to Bali, Barong dance is one of those performances that you should watch.

Reference : commons.wikimedia.org
Photo : commons.wikimedia.org, flickr.com