World Travel GuidesBarong Dance of Bali Mythology

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The Barong is a character in Bali mythology. He is regarded as the king of spirits. Within the mythological tradition of Bali, the Barong represents the good against Rangda, the bad.

Balinese believe that each child is accompanied by a spirit child called Banas Pati Rajah, the spirt which animates Barong.

The Barong is usually represented by a stylized lion in traditional performances.

Each region of Bali has its own protective spirit for its forests and lands, and the Barong of each region is modelled after a different animal, which could be a boar, a tiger, a dragon, or the traditional lion.


The lion barong in the Barong dance
The lion barong in the Barong dance (18 June, 2004)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


The Barong dance depicting the lion is actually derived from the Barong dance of the Gianyar region, the location for the town of Ubud - the place where such performances for the benefit of tourists are staged.


 Barong performers turn their keris on themselves in a trance
Barong performers turn their keris on themselves in a trance (18 June, 2004)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


 In the Barong dance performance, devotees try to attack Rangda with their keris, but Rangda turned the daggers against the attackers, so that the devotees start to stab themselves. It is through Barong's power that the blades are prevented from piercing their bare skin.

The priest appears and awakens the performers from their trance
The priest appears and awakens the performers from their trance (18 June, 2004)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The Barong dance tells the story of a fight between good and evil. It is performed within a Balinese play called Calonarang. As mentioned, evil is represented by Rangda. Rangda is actually the mother to Erlangga, the King of Bali. She was condemned by Erlangga's father for practising black magic, and cast into exile. (I know, she sounds like the queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.)

After the death of Erlangga's father, Rangda turned into a leyal, or witch-monster. She called upon all the evil spirits of the jungle and all the demons to go after Erlangga. Erlangga sought the help of Barong, who came to his aid with his warriors. However Rangda cast a spell on Barong's warriors and in a trance, they turned their keris on themselves. Barong cast a counter-spell to prevent the keris from piercing him.



Finally, the Barong appears and releases his warriors from her curse. A priest appears and sprinkle holy water on the performers to awaken them from the trance.

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