Barong dance truly an experience

Bali is famous for their exotic art and culture. One of it is definitely none other than the Barong dance. The Barong Dance is a powerful battle of good and evil and most well known in Bali. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one reality.

There is a story line to the Barong dance, but really the dance is entertaining with a touch of sacredness imbued with the soul of Barong. The story is about Rangda battling against the King of Bali, Erlangga in the 10^th century. Erlangga seek the help of Barong to battle with Rangda and her strong black magic troops. Here the Barong battles the evil Rangda. Rangda uses magic spell to force the warriors to turn their knives on themselves. Instead, the warriors turn to Rangda and started attacking. This is when things get interesting. In the end, Barong triumph.

It is hard to tell what is going on during the dance show. To us, the dance is entertaining, mystic and an air of sacredness surrounds the stage. However to the Balinese people, this dance is an opportunity to keep the cosmos in balance. We can see the performers in masks and holding daggers stabbing themselves (for sure not hard) but the Barong’s magic protects the warriors from Rangda’s spell.

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 offerings must be presented. This is one show that is performed at various tourist attraction spots and one should not miss it.

I was actually slightly in a bundle of nerves when my husband urged me to go and take a snap with the dancers. Having a close-up shot with them was truly an experience. But the dancers look very bloodcurdling with their ruffian look masks, make-up and costumes that tickled my feelings for awhile. It is a great show, though...