Barong

Barong is probably the most well known dance. It is also another story telling dance, narrating the fight between good and evil. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one reality.

photograph by M.L

story of barong:
The story goes that Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, the King of Bali in the tenth century, was condemned by Erlangga's father because she practiced black magic. After she became a widow, she summoned all the evil spirits in the jungle, the leaks and the demons, to come after Erlangga. A fight occurred, but she and her black magic troops were too strong that Erlangga had to ask for the help of Barong. Barong came with Erlangga's soldiers, and fight ensued. Rangda casted a spell that made Erlangga soldiers all wanted to kill themselves, pointing their poisoned keris into their own stomachs and chests. Barong casted a spell that turned their body resistant to the sharp keris. At the end, Barong won, and Rangda ran away.

Somebody can die or get seriously injured in a Barong dance. It is said that if Rangda's spell is too strong, a weak soldier may not be able to resist it, even with the help of Barong. He may end up hurting himself with his own keris.The masks of Barong and Rangda are considered sacred items, and before they are brought out, a priest must be present to offer blessings by sprinkling them with holy water taken from Mount Agung, and offerrings must be presented.

photograph by M.L

Ubud performance

one of the best performance must seen in bali is "ramayana performance"

hanoman,photograph by M.L

In Ubud you shouldn't miss the typical balinese dances performed in the Ubud Palace ( Puri Saren Agung). It's a nice way to get to know and understand a bit of the balinese culture.

There are different types of dances but the performances usually take place at 7.30 pm. You can see here the Ramayana Ballet, the Legong of Mahabrata, the Gabor, the Barong and the Legong, depending on the days of the week.

photograph by M.L

hanoman obong, photograph by M.L

photograph by M.L

Balinese dance

photograph by M.L

           Large hotels and restaurants put tourist versions of the best known balinese dances, and these are well publicied.



one of the balinese girl using a tradisional custom before performance.

Tari ketjak

the ketjak dance is a religious ceremony performed—sometimes for several hours on successive nights, for three to four months—to exorcise evil during times of peril and pestilence. The gamelan orchestra that accompanies most Balinese dance performances is generally absent during a ketjak performance, replaced by the sounds from a male chorus similar to the rhythms of the gamelan. While audiences and photography are not welcome during religious performances of ketjak, recently the "tourist ketjak" has emerged—an abbreviated version of the dance, performed for entertainment.

tari ketjak Bali, photograph: M.L