Bali Island is not only blessed with stunning beaches and extraordinary natural landscapes, the island also has amazing cultural traditions that are still well preserved today. One of the famous Balinese cultural heritage is the Barong dance. Barong dance is an art form that is often associated with spirituality. The dance which is a pre-Hindu cultural heritage, depicts the classic and eternal battle between “Good and Evil” or Dharma and Adharma, has become one of the most famous dances in Bali. Evil is symbolized by Rangda, a scary figure with 2 pointed fangs. Good is symbolized by Barong, a semi-lion or bear that has supernatural powers and is believed to protect mankind.
In Balinese mythology, Barong is one of the figures in the form of a mythological semi-lion or bear. The elders said that the word Barong comes from the word “Bahruang” which means bear. This figure is considered the Spirit King representing virtue, otherwise known as the “guardian angel”. Meanwhile, Rangda (widow in Javanese) is a resistance figure from Barong. Rangda is also known as the Demon Queen who leads an army of evil wizards. Not just an ordinary dance, the Barong Dance comes as a living reflection that depicts two characters in an endless battle. Similar to Sanghyang Dance, Barong Dance is a native Balinese culture that existed before the arrival of Hinduism in Bali. Like a lion, Barong is also clad in thick white fur around his face and decorated with various gold jewelry and broken mirrors. Just like the Barongsai, Barong is played by two dancers who are agile in performing their movements in a cohesive manner.
Balinese people believe that each region has its own protective spirit to protect its forests and lands. For each region, Barong is depicted with different animals. Barong Ket (Barong Singa or lion) is the most common type of Barong found in almost all parts of the island. Meanwhile, Barong Buntut is a type of Barong that only emphasizes the front, generally performed by a single dancer. Other types of Barong are Barong Landung (Giant Barong), Barong Celeng (Barong Boar), Barong Tiger, Barong Brutuk, Barong Bangkal, Barong Naga and othe Barongs only exist in certain villages.
Barong Ket or Barong Lion is usually the one performed the most for visitors in Bali, so it is the most popular for tourists visiting Bali. The costume worn by dancers of Barong Ket or Barong Lion dancers is Ket or Keket costume in a form of a combination of a lion, a tiger and an ox. Barong’s body is decorated with leather ornaments, pieces of glass from a mirror, and is equipped with feathers from pandan leaf fibers. Barong is played by 2 dancers, one dancer takes a position on the front which will play the movements of the head with mask and front legs of the Barong, while the second dancer is behind playing the back legs and tail of the Barong.
The Barong Ket or Barong Lion dance tells the story of the battle between Barong and Rangda, accompanied by several other characters, such as a monkey (Barong’s best friend), Dewi Kunti, Sadewa (son of Dewi Kunti) and some of Rangda’s followers. Until today, Barong is believed to be a protector by the Balinese people is often performed during religious ceremonies.
Sahadewa is detained in the middle of the jungle and would be made a victim of Rangda’s offering by his mother, Dewi Kunti, who is possessed by an evil spirit. Seeing this, Lord Shiva descends and bestow immortality on Sahadewa.
Because of that, Rangda is unable to kill him. Rangda finally give up and asked to be freed from the curse so that she can enter heaven. Her request is granted by Sahadeva so Rangda experiences moksha.
A Rangda follower named Kalika comes to Sadewa and asked for help too. However, Sahadeva rejects her, so that a fierce battle takes place. To compete with Sadewa, Kalika transforms into Rangda. Meanwhile, Sadewa changes form into Barong. Both of them have equal strength, so that no one loses nor win and it becomes an eternal battle between good and evil.
At the end come some followers of Sahadeva (Barong) who are armed with kris, a traditional Balinese and also Javanese weapon. But one by one is defeated by Rangda. They are even bewitched to attack themselves and stab themselves with their own kris. Then Barong comes to remove Rangda’s magic spell from them.
For those who want to see Barong Dance during their visit in Bali they can go to one of these places: Batubulan Village, Waribang Kesiman, Ubud Village, Suwung Kauh Village, and Cultural Village of Kertalangu.