Bali Dance Barong;
You Cannot Watch it in Your Hotel 

Bali dance Barong is the quintessential expression of Bali’s culture of balance. Your hotel or travel agent will be happy to arrange your trip to Batubulan to see the dance and afterward shop at the biggest souvenir market at Sukawati. 

If you stay in an accommodation in the south, it will take you more or less an hour to go there, and from Ubud about half that time. Today there are also villa hotels, one more luxurious and one easier on your budget in Batubulan itself. 

Bali dance Barong mask a sacred objectBali dance Barong mask a sacred object

Why Should You Watch this Dance?  

  1. It is uniquely Bali; you will not see it anywhere else
  2. It is very colorful, with rich costumes, masks and crowns decorated with fresh flowers
  3. Fascinating, invigorating music
  4. Well known struggle between good and bad presented in a exceptional way 
  5. Some funny, entertaining, very human scenes
  6. Kris dancers in trance
  7. Although here it is performed for tourists, there still has to be a priest present and prayers said, exactly the same as when it is performed in temples 
  8. The costume of the Barong is considered sacred and treated with great care and respect

Watch my short video here directly onn YouTube to see other movies too or watch it below

Do Not Let Evil Take Over; Bali Dance Barong  

Rangda depicting the evil in Bali cultureRangda depicting the evil in Bali culture

Two ancient figures, Barong a four legged tiger like appearance is the embodiment of good and Rangda a two legged witch with long tongue, long fingernails, wild hair and drooping breasts is the personification of bad or evil.

Rangda is vying for a sacrifice; Sadewa the son of queen Dewi Kunti.  Rangda possesses Dewi Kunti and the entire entourage in order to get her way. Of course, now a god has to descend and give a hand. The god Siwa bestows immortality on Sadewa, without the knowledge of Rangda who now realizes she can’t kill Sadewa and asks for his absolution.

Kalika also asks for clemency from Sadewa but is rebuked, gets angry and fights Sadewa as a boar, then as a bird (Garuda) and last as Rangda. In order to have a chance, Sadewa also needs to change form and becomes Barong. The two magical forces are equal in strength and thus keep on fighting. Now appear Barong’s followers with their Kris to help and support the good. 

Rangda uses her magic and they try to kill themselves which they cannot do. Barong has put them into trance to keep them safe. This is the Balinese interpretation of the eternal struggle between good and bad.

The Barong Dance is a human dramaThe Barong Dance is a human drama the struggle between the good and evil in this world

Don not worry to remember this story, you will get a written description in your own language as soon as you arrive at the temple theater.  Please be there on time around 09.000 in the morning. This Bali dance Barong will last about one hour. 

Watch an excerpt of the dance here

Choose One of these Accommodations

In Batubulan: Bumi Linggah; a villa resort in a village is quite new and luxurious. If that is too fancy choose the smaller and simpler one across the street, Vidi Villas.

Ubud: so far we have visited Gino Ferucy Villas

Sanur: is only about half hour away here are the fairly new Mahapala Villas; and our favorite summer holiday hotel Prama Sanur Beach

› › Bali Dance Barong

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