The barong dance, which includes the dagger dance known as the Keris Dance or Kris Dance, is one of Bali’s most famous traditional dances.
It dates back nearly 1,000 years and is an incredible piece of Balinese culture.
Our guide walks you through the roots of the practice of the barong dance, highlights other similar practices and where you can see the best examples of this dance on the island.
The Barong Dance And Balinese Culture
The barong dance has very little to do with the Chinese lion dance and though some scholars have tried to link the two, the evidence of any connection is sketchy at best and verging on non-existent.
In fact, the barong dance is a traditional Balinese dance and it tells a tale from Balinese mythology of creatures that use protective magic to guard humans from evil spirits.
The barong of this dance drama is the good guy, a sort of mythical lion that captains the hosts of good against the demon queen, Rangda, and her spirit guarders.
The tale of the barong and Rangda is meant to remind you of the eternal battle of good against evil. The actual story is called the “Calon Arang” but most people know it as the lion barong dance or barong dance.
It opens with a pair of playful monkeys teasing the mythical creature but things quickly get darker and more involved.
The Barong Ket or Barong Celeng
The Barong Ket or Barong Celeng is the Barong Mask that the lead dancer wears. This is a very heavy piece that can weigh up to 8 lbs. (about 3.5 Kg) and it dictates much of the form that the single dancer playing the barong can take during the performance.
The barong and Rangda are not the only dancers to take the stage, but they are the most distinctive characters in the barong dance.
The Keris Dance or Kris Dance
The keris dance or kris dance is a part of the longer tale of the barong and Rangda. The keris or kris is a dagger and the most important ceremonial weapon in Bali.
In this segment of the dance, warriors appear wielding these daggers. This part of the Barong Dance is considered to be sacred and holy by the dancers and they will enter a magical trance as they dance the keris dance.
The scene begins when Rangda uses black magic to attack the male dancers and then orders them to commit mass suicide.
The barong, however, working with a priest uses sacred items and holy water to provide a level of protective magic. This makes the warriors immune to sharp implements.
The warriors turn their kris upon themselves and stab themselves repeatedly as the keris dance reaches a climax, but the protective magic does its job and their spirits remain in this world untouched by the blades and the Rangda’s evil.
Don’t think that the Kris Dance is a risk-free dance, in a performance of this dance in 2012, in Denpasar, a 16-year-old dancer stabbed himself to death.
The Barong Vs Rangda
The barong and Rangda dance culminates with the Barong declaring victory over the Rangda which flees the scene, leaving evil fully defeated and the universe in balance.
The Javanese Reog Dance (The Singa Barong)
There is another form of barong dance in Java that has nothing to do with the Balinese tradition.
It involves just one single dancer who must carry a 30-40 Kg lion mask in his teeth. In addition, this “warok” dancer may have to balance a child on this head! They may end up supporting up to 100 Kg in total at this time, making them exceptionally strong.
In addition, this mask is considered to be the largest of all the world’s masks.
If you want to see this dance, you’ll need to visit Jave and the Ponorogo Regency.
Where To See The Barong Dance Performance In Bali
Batubulan Village
This is an art village in Sukawati. It’s worth visiting in its own right and they offer an early morning Barong dance performance each day.
The dancing begins at 9.30 a.m. and it’s about a 30-minute drive from Ubud, so you may need to get up early to ensure you can enjoy all of the fun.
Interestingly, they have 5 separate stages, each with a unique Balinese architectural design, and the dance is performed on each stage.
We think this is one of the best places to witness the eternal battle between the demon queen, her evil spirits and the mythical creature that is the Balinese lion barong.
Tickets are cheaper if purchased online at 100,000 IDR per person. If you buy them at the venue, they are 150,000 IDR per person.
Ubud Royal Palace
If you want to visit the most popular place for dance performances in Bali, then you want to go to the Ubud Royal Palace.
If it’s raining head to the west of the palace as there’s an indoor stage reserved for the dance drama when it starts to pour down from the heavens. This is better for the dancers as well as for the audience.
As this place gets very busy, we’d strongly recommend getting there early and making sure you get a decent seat.
The tickets are 100,000 IDR per person and you can pick them up at the palace.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park
We love the GWK cultural park and we’d recommend that you visit just to see the giant garuda statue there, which is the tallest statue in Indonesia.
However, if you can’t see the barong dance anywhere else, the performance here is very good and included in a larger program called “The Mythical Moves”.
There’s no entrance fee to watch the dance and it starts at 3 p.m. every day in the main park amphitheatre.
However, you do have to pay to enter the GWK Park in the first place and that’s 100,000 IDR for adults and 80,000 IDR for kids.
It’s worth allowing a couple of extra hours to explore the park to its fullest and to grab some cool family photos in the showcase of Balinese culture.
We’re also big fans of the Agung Rai Museum of Art which offers real insight into Balinese culture and art.
The barong dance performance at the museum takes place once every week at 7 p.m. on a Sunday.
The stage is an open stage and invites are provided to all the best Balinese dance companies. If you want the most authentically Balinese version of this slice of Balinese mythology, then the ARMA museum is a great place to go.
You can even learn the Barong Dance at the museum if you join one of their dance workshops, though it would take a single dancer quite a long time to learn all the moves.
FAQs
What Is The Purpose Of The Barong Dance?
The barong dance tells a timeless story of good versus evil. It’s part of the culture of Bali and is often performed on special occasions around the island.
How Old Is The Barong Dance?
The tale of the barong is known as the Calon Arang and it is thought to date back to the 10th century AD, though some sources argue that it may be as late as the 12th century AD.
What Is The Story Of The Barong In Bali?
It’s the story of the barong, a mythical creature like a lion, taking on Rangda, an evil witch. It’s a classic morality play of good versus evil.
How Much Is The Barong Dance In Bali?
It varies a little between venues and there’s usually a discount for children but you should expect to pay between 100,000 IDR and 150,000 IDR to see a Barong Dance in Bali.
The performance lasts about an hour and a half and it’s recommended that you arrive about 30 minutes early to take your seats as they tend to be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
What Is The Difference Between Rangda And Barong In Bali?
Rangda is the demon queen of Balinese mythology. She’s the major player of the evil spirits in Bali.
The barong is her opposite. He is a heroic creature who comes to rid Bali and the world of the Rangda and the influence of her minions.
What Is The Knife Dance In Bali?
The knife dance is a dagger dance, and it’s called the Keris Dance or Kris Dance.
How To Book A Holiday In Bali Including A Trip To A Barong Dance?
We always recommend that you book your holidays in Bali through the lovely people at the Bali Res Centre.
The Bali Res Centre is a wholly locally owned and operated travel service that can help you see all the best cultural sites in Bali and get amazing deals on hotels and flights.
Final Thoughts On What’s Behind The Barong Mask In Bali
The barong dance is something of a must-see if you like to learn about Hinduism and the culture of Bali.
It’s a lot of fun and it’s easy to arrange access to a barong performance while you’re here in Bali.
