Bali Barong Dance

Barong is a character in the mythology of Bali. He is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good, and enemy of Rangda in the mythological traditions of Bali.

The story goes that Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, King of Bali in the tenth century, was condemned by Erlangga father because she practiced black magic. Once 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 soldiers, and brought the fight. Rangda cast a spell that Erlangga soldiers all wanted to murder themselves, their points Keris poisoned in their own stomachs and chests. Barong cast a spell that turned their bodies can withstand the sharp Keris. At the end, Barong won, and ran away Rangda.

Barong dance is probably the most famous dances. 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 of mythology, resulting in myth and history are blended into a reality. Someone could die or seriously injured in a Barong dance. It is said that if Rangda the spell is too strong, a weak soldier may not be able to resist, even with the help of Barong. He may ultimately hurt himself with his own Keris.

Another story about Barong related to Banas Pati Rajah that is the fourth “brother” or spirit child that a child’s entire life. Banas Pati Rajah is the spirit that animated Barong. A protector spirit, he is often represented by a lion, and traditional performances of his fight against Rangda are popular parts of Balinese culture.

The lion Barong is one of five traditional Barong. Bali in every region of the island has its own protective spirit for its forests and farmlands. Each Barong for each region is modeled after a different animal. There is a bear, a tiger, a dragon (or snake) and the traditional lion. The lion is a popular as it comes from the region where Gianyar Ubud (the home of tourist views ritual) is located. Within the calonarong, the dance drama in which the Barong appears, the Barong Rangda respond to the use of magic and murder to control its balance.

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