Barong and Kris Dance

Barong and Kris Dance portray a giant lion-like beast represented by two males, while Rangda represents the embodiment of evil, with long fingernails and sagging breasts. Barong is going about his business when he is disturbed by Rangda; eventually, a conflict breaks out and the Barong followers begin assaulting Rangda with their Keris (daggers). Rangda is a witch who can utilize magical abilities to turn daggers against their owners, who go into a trance and attempt to stab themselves.

The gamelan, a Javanese and Bali-specific musical ensemble, produces rhythms that are strongly linked to the movement of Balinese dance. Layers of percussion sounds are reflected by the coordination of several levels of articulations in the face, eyes, hands, arms, hips, and feet. The purpose of the Barong and Kris Dance is to ward off evil spirits and is done when there is illness or bad luck in the hamlet. People congregate at Pura Dalem, the funerary temple.

Beautiful umbrellas are utilized in the temple, and women are carrying the offerings. The dance is done whenever sickness or misfortune is prevalent in the hamlet. Demons and evil spirits approach the settlement from the sea’s direction. Since the struggle will go inconclusive, the harmony in the universe is verified by reliving the tale of the widow Rangda and Barong. People in every region of Bali invoke the spirit to guard the land and woods. Barongs come in several varieties. The mask the lead character wears—the barong—determines the dance’s name.

The Barong is defined in each different region as a different animal :

• A Wild Pig
• A Tiger
• A Snake
• A Dragon
• A Lion

Kris and Barong Typically, two men with eerie lion masks perform dance. He embodies the positive and rattles his mouth nonstop. The evil witch Rangda, who has terrifying eyes and hair, is his opponent. The purpose of the dance is to ward off evil. The meaning of the word “barong” is not well explained. But Barong also goes as Banaspati Raja, which means “King of the jungle.” The Barong Keket is the traditional barong. There is no animal that this relates to. Additionally, there are two other forms: Barong Landung, which consists of two enormous puppets that enact a conversation and sing folk songs, and Barong Berutuk, which consists of young men wearing masks wrapped in banana leaves.

The Story of Barong And Kris Dance

According to legend, Erlangga’s father punished his mother, Rangda, for engaging in black magic. Erlangga was the king of Bali in the eleventh century. Following her widowhood, she called forth all of the demons, leaks, and other terrible spirits in the bush to pursue Erlangga. There was a battle, but she and her army of dark magic were so powerful that Erlangga had to call on Barong for assistance. A struggle broke out when Barong arrived with Erlangga soldiers. ​

By directing their poisoned keris toward their own chests and bellies, Rangda created a spell that caused all of the Erlangga warriors desire to commit suicide. Barong used a spell to make their body impervious to the jagged keris. Barong ultimately prevailed, and Rangda fled. There is disagreement regarding the Barong people’s origins. ​

There are several legends of the Barong And Kris Dance, here is the two versions :

1) The original Barong version, in which Bedulu—likely Bali’s capital—is mentioned in passing. To rid the island of the plague, the gods commanded the populace to create a barong. The Barong had to walk around collecting money and offerings during Galungan, the biggest Balinese celebration.

2) The demon Jero Gede Mecaling is linked to the barong in another tale. To destroy everything on Bali, this demon arrived in the form of a barong with his companions. Only a similar barong with followers, according to a priest, could drive them out. As a result, the Barong may be utilized to drive evil forces and illness away.

Barong And Kris Dance Ticket

Adult : IDR 150,000
Children : IDR 75,000
Dance Show : 09.30 AM – 10.30 AM

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