Barong and Rangda

Barong is probably the most well known dance in Bali. It acts as a story-telling, narrating the fight between good and evil. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one attractive ‘show’.

The story goes with Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, the King of Bali in the tenth century, was condemned by Erlangga's father because she practiced black magic. After she became a widow she summoned all the evil spirits in the jungle, the leaks and the demons to come after Erlangga. A fight occurred, but she and her black magic troops were too strong that Erlangga had to ask for the help from Barong. Barong came with Erlangga's soldiers, and fights ensued. Rangda caste a spell that made Erlangga soldiers all wanted to kill themselves, pointing their poisoned keris (dagger) into their own stomachs and chests. Barong caste a spell that turned their body resistant to the sharp keris. At the end, Barong won, and Rangda ran away.

Although the dance tells a story about an olden time’s history, there are still chances that somebody could die or get seriously injured in today’s Barong dance performance. This deadly occurrence, however, might only take place when the Barong dance is performed for spiritual purposes – not the one acted out on a stage as an entertainment. It is said that a performer could get killed or badly hurt if the person’s condition is not ‘clean’ (such as after attending a cremation ceremony or any other occasions that involve deaths). There were also instances when the mantras used were too strong; thus hurting or even killing the ‘weak’ performers. In this case, the performers may end up hurting themselves with their own keris.

The masks of Barong and Rangda are also considered as sacred items. It is why before they are brought out, a priest must be present to offer blessings by sprinkling them with holy water taken from Mount Agung, and offerings must be presented. Indonesia Today