Barong dance is one of Bali’s cultural heritages that has its own uniqueness and charm. This dance not only features dynamic and entertaining movements, but also has a deep meaning and a long history related to Balinese beliefs. As one of the sacred dances, Barong Dance is often performed in various traditional ceremonies and has been widely recognized to foreign countries. Then, how is the origin of Barong Dance and what are the types? Check out the discussion in this article.
Brief History of Barong Dance
Barong dance is one of Bali’s cultural heritages that has spiritual value and deep meaning. This dance depicts the classic battle between good and evil that has been part of Balinese beliefs for centuries. In the Hindu-Balinese tradition, Barong is a mystical lion-shaped creature that is considered a protective spirit king. He symbolizes virtue and is a force of good that keeps the world in balance.
In the story, Barong has an archenemy named Rangda, which means “widow” in Javanese. Rangda is described as a demon queen who leads an army of evil witches and seeks to spread black magic throughout the world. In Barong dance performances, the story is about Barong’s struggle to defeat Rangda in order to maintain the balance of the universe.
The audience will witness scenes where Barong tries to defeat the magic of Rangda, who is trying to rule the world. The men who take part in the performance will fight using daggers. However, when Barong is present, the dagger suddenly reverses direction and stabs its owner. This puts the performers into a trance.
In this state, Barong continued to fight against Rangda until he finally defeated him. After Barong’s victory, the players who were previously in a trance begin to regain consciousness. They are considered to have been “reborn” thanks to the sprinkling of holy water used in the ritual. This is what makes Barong Dance not just an entertainment dance, but also has a strong spiritual element in the lives of Balinese people.
The Meaning of Barong Dance
Barong dance is not just an art performance, but also has a deep philosophical meaning. This dance symbolizes the struggle between two opposing forces, good and evil. Barong as the embodiment of good against Rangda as a symbol of evil to maintain the balance of the world.
The main meaning of this dance is the teaching of harmony, where no one force can completely dominate. In life, there are always two opposing sides, and the balance between them must be maintained. Therefore, Barong Dance has a sacred value that is closely related to the spiritual life of the Balinese people.
Types of Barong Dance
In different parts of Bali, Barong Dance has different variations, depending on the character and shape of the animal that symbolizes Barong. Here are some types of Barong Dance known in Bali:
1. Barong Ket (Barong Keket)
Barong Ket is the most common type of Barong found in Bali. Its shape resembles a combination of a lion, tiger, and ox with a larger size than humans. Barong Ket is often used in various performances and traditional ceremonies because it has the most complete dance movements compared to other types of Barong.
2. Barong Bangkal
Barong Bangkal has a shape resembling a wild boar. The name “Bangkal” comes from the Balinese term for male pigs, while female pigs are called “Bangkung.” This dance is usually performed by “ngelawang,” which is dancing from house to house while traveling around the village, especially during Galungan and Kuningan celebrations.
3. Barong Landung
Barong Landung has a larger-than-human form and is usually performed by one or more dancers. In some performances, Barong Landung is also accompanied by other characters such as Mantri (king), Galuh (queen), and Limbur (courtesan).
4. Barong Macan
Barong Macan resembles a tiger and is one of the most popular types of Barong in Bali. Like the Barong Bangkal, this performance is also done with the concept of “ngelawang” and accompanied by Batel gamelan music.
5. Barong Asu
Barong Asu has a shape that resembles a dog. However, compared to other types of Barong, Barong Asu is not so popular and can only be found in some areas such as Tabanan and Badung.
6. Barong Gajah
As the name implies, Barong Gajah has a shape that resembles an elephant. Due to its sacred nature, Barong Gajah performances are quite rare, but can still be witnessed in Gianyar, Tabanan, Badung, and Bangli.
Barong Dance Costumes
The costumes used in Barong Dance differ depending on the type of Barong being performed. The costume of Barong Ket, for example, is decorated with leather ornaments, glass pieces, and thick white fur around its face. Meanwhile, the head of the Barong uses a mask made of sacred wood.
Each element in the Barong costume has its own meaning. For example, the glass pieces that adorn Barong’s body symbolize protection from evil spirits, while the white feathers symbolize purity and wisdom. The wood used to make the Barong mask cannot be carelessly taken from trees that are considered sacred by the Balinese people.
Barong Dance Performance Location in Bali
For tourists who want to watch Barong Dance performances, here are some places that can be visited:
1. Batubulan, Gianyar
Batubulan Village in Gianyar Regency is one of the best places to watch Barong Dance performances. Here, tourists can also enjoy other Balinese dances such as Kecak Dance and Legong Dance.
2. Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park
Besides being known for its giant statue, GWK Cultural Park also features various art performances, including Barong Dance, Joged Bumbung, Kecak Dance, and Legong Dance.
3. Kesiman, Denpasar
At Sekaa Barong Eka Budhi, Kesiman, tourists can enjoy phenomenal Barong Dance and Keris Dance performances.
With all its uniqueness and deep meaning, Barong Dance has become one of the priceless cultural heritages of the Island of the Gods. Besides providing entertainment, this dance also teaches the importance of balance in human life. For anyone visiting Bali, watching Barong Dance is an experience not to be missed.
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