The wondrous island of Bali is not only blessed with fascinating beaches and outstanding landscapes, but it also has an amazing traditional culture that remains well preserved, highlighting the daily life of its people.
The Barong Dance is among the many art forms closely associated with spirituality, it is often performed in ritual ceremonies. Portraying the classic battle of “Good vs. Evil”, the dance is one of the most well-known and loved on the island.
In Balinese mythology, Barong is a prominent character taken the form of a lion, regarded as the King of the Spirits who represents Virtue. Barong is seen as ‘a guardian angel’. Opposing Good is represented by another mythical creature called Rangda (‘widow’ in Javanese), the Queen of Demons. Rangda leads an army of evil witches against the leader of the forces of Good. As a mirror of life, the Barong Dance portrays the two characters involved in a never-ending battle.
Similar to Sanghyang Dance, the Barong Dance is native to the Balinese culture that predates back to Hinduism. Barong is covered in white thick fur, adorned with gold jewelry and pieces of mirrors. Just like the Chinese Lion Dance, Barong involves two people dancing in synchronized movements to portray the lion in action.
In the dance drama called Calon Arang, Barong emerges to counteract Rangda's use of magic to control the world. The men will fight each other with kris daggers, but upon the appearance of Barong, they turn their kris and stab themselves. The performers get into a trance state. Barong then defeats Rangda, thus restoring balance in nature. Meanwhile, the tranced men are reincarnated by the sprinkle of holy water.
Balinese people believe each region has its own protective spirit for its forests and lands. For each region, Barong is modeled after a different animal. Barong Ket (Lion Barong) is the most common type found in almost every part of the Island. While Barong Buntut is a type of Barong which only features its front, usually performed by a single dancer. Other types of Barong includes Barong Landung (Giant Barong), Barong Celeng (Boar Barong), Barong Macan (Tiger Barong), Barong Naga (Dragon/Serpent Barong).
Regular Barong dance performances can be found in many places in Bali, however, the most popular are performed by the Batu Bulan villagers in the district of Gianyar, or at Kesiman, Denpasar.
3 Essential Things to Do on Your Visit to Bali
More
❯
5 Christmas Postcards from Indonesia
More
❯
6 Soothing Spa Destinations in Bali
More
❯
7 Kids Friendly Destinations in Bali
More
❯
15 Instagrammable Destinations You Must Visit in Bali
More
❯
9 Inspiring Romantic Moments to Experience this Valentine in Bali
More
❯
7 Trip Ideas in North Bali
More
❯
5 Ideas to Do During Quarantine in Bali
More
❯
The Best Backpacking Itinerary Guide for you to Explore Indonesia
More
❯
4 Ways of Luxury Travelling in Bali
More
❯
Experience Unforgettable Cultural Tourism in Bali
More
❯
6 Luxury Travel Ideas You Can Experience in Bali
More
❯
4 Resorts with Infinity Pools in Uluwatu, Bali
More
❯
10 Iconic Cuisines That You Must Try on Your Next Visit to Bali
More
❯
How to Use PeduliLindungi App
More
❯
15 Best Hotel for Staycation With Family in Indonesia
More
❯
10 Stylish Award Winning Hotels for Your Next Holiday in Bali
More
❯
5 Exciting Travel Ideas to Explore around Sanur, Bali
More
❯
4 Instagenic Waterfalls in Tabanan, Bali
More
❯
11 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages from Indonesia
More
❯
Celebrate World Tourism Day With This 5 Brilliant Ideas
More
❯
Have A Plan to Spend Your Weekend in Bali? Make Sure You Visit These Places
More
❯
Biggest 2019 Sports Event in Indonesia That You Have to Follow
More
❯
Bali's Great Spa and Wellness Retreats You Must Visit Right Away!
More
❯
6 Highlighted Destinations in Asian Games 2018’s Billboard Series
More
❯
10 Unique Ways to Explore the Majestic GWK Cultural Park
More
❯
5 Eye-soothing Rice Fields You Should Visit in Bali
More
❯
A New-Normal Trip to Nusa Dua, Bali
More
❯
5 Fun Destinations to Visit around Ubud, Bali
More
❯
9 Iconic Traditional Houses to Explore in Indonesia
More
❯
Searching for Bali Souvenirs? Check Out These 5 Places!
More
❯
15 Exhilarating Surfing Destinations You Should Visit in Indonesia
More
❯
Rekindle Your Relationship with Nature at Pemuteran Village, Bali
More
❯
Experience a Traditional Living Atmosphere at Penglipuran Village, Bali
More
❯
6 Amazing Temples You Must Visit in Bali
More
❯
9 Trip Ideas for Your Future Trip to Bali
More
❯
9 Splendid Villages in Indonesia That You Should Put on Your Trip List
More
❯
Top 9 Most Favourite Places for Your 2021 Travel Bucket List in Indonesia
More
❯
9 Five-Star Hotels & Resorts Recommendation in Bali
More
❯
8 Eco-Friendly Ideas for a Sustainable Holiday in Indonesia - Indonesia.Travel
More
❯
11 Remarkable International-Class Airports in Indonesia
More
❯
5 Resorts to Do Yoga in Bali
More
❯
5 Traditional Indonesian Fabrics and the Stories behind Them
More
❯
Top 15 Ideas to Spend Your Year End in Bali
More
❯
Unique Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Bali
More
❯
Experience These Safari Adventures on Your Next Visit to Indonesia
More
❯
Get Your Summer Joy in These Indonesia’s Water Villas
More
❯
18 Colorful Hangout Spots to Chill Out with Your Friends This Summer in Bali
More
❯
18 Favourite Places for Your Summer Afternoon and Evening Lingers in Bali
More
❯
13 Gorgeous Instagrammable Beaches in Indonesia
More
❯
16 Instagenic Spots around Bali for You to Wind Down this Summer!
More
❯
Find Your Perfect Destination in Bali According to Your Zodiac
More
❯
15 Beautiful Hotels for Your Private Getaway in Bali
More
❯
Fun Ways to Be Healthier in Ubud, Bali
More
❯
The Backpacker’s Guide to Explore Indonesia Beyond Bali
More
❯
5 Backpacking Trip Ideas that You must Experience in Indonesia
More
❯
How to Indulge on a Memorable Experience in Nusa Dua Bali
More
❯
5 Awakening Spiritual Trip ideas to Discover in Indonesia
More
❯
5 Feel-Good Sustainable Tourism Ideas to Do in Bali
More
❯
5 Best Indonesia Travel Images
More
❯
17 Luxurious Hotels to Stay in Nusa Dua
More
❯
Splurge at These 5 Luxurious Private Villas in Nusa Dua
More
❯
9 Things That Makes Nusa Dua Perfect for a Leisure & Business Trip
More
❯
6 Indonesian Traditional Dances
More
❯
8 Appealing Activities You Must Try in Nusa Dua
More
❯
Spark Your Creativity with These 5 Traveling Ideas
More
❯
5 Luxurious Travel Ideas in Indonesia You Deserve to Experience
More
❯
Experience New Kind of Digital Detox with 6S
More
❯
5 Getaway Destinations in Bali
More
❯
Have a Blast at These 5 Getaway Destinations in Bali
More
❯
Planning for Your First Solo Trip? Here’s 5 Destinations to Consider!
More
❯
Imagine Having Your Romantic Couple Trip in These 5 Destinations!
More
❯
6 Reasons for You to Explore Quality Tourism
More
❯
6 Best Family-Bonding Activities to Make Your Bali Trip Memorable
More
❯
6 Beautiful Places to Celebrate Christmas in Indonesia
More
❯
Imagine Visiting Beautiful Beaches That Match Your Chinese Zodiac
More
❯
5 Enchanting Traditional Textiles from Bali
More
❯
5 Leisure Sports Activities You Must Try In Indonesia
More
❯
Missing the Delicious Flavors of Indonesia? Check Out These Places
More
❯
Learn How to Make Batik Directly from the Craftsmen in these 7 Batik Villages!
More
❯
Missing Bali’s Paradise? Plan a Magical Trip with These Backpacking Ideas!
More
❯
A Fantastic Guide For a First-Timers in Bali
More
❯
Travel to Bali, the Heart of Indonesia
More
❯
7 Workation Activities in Bali to Increase Your Productivity
More
❯
Tying the Knot with a View: Breathtaking Spots to Say I Do in Bali
More
❯
15 Cool Co-Working Places Spaces for the Inspiring Digital Nomads in Bali
More
❯
5 Places to Stay in Bali for a Productive Workcation
More
❯
Denpasar Listed as One of the World’s Top 10 Healthiest City
More
❯
15 Luxurious Hotels near to GWK Cultural Park Bali for You to Indulge
More
❯
Discover 6 Beautiful Botanical Gardens of Indonesia
More
❯
Enjoy the Magnificent View in Bali with These 10 Instagrammable Swings
More
❯
Planning Your Year-End Holiday? Here Are Some Ideas!
More
❯
5 Award-Winning Tourist Villages You Should Visit In Your Lifetime
More
❯
7 Tea Garden Sceneries in Indonesia
More
❯
7 Top Places To Go Shopping In Bali
More
❯
The Ultimate Guide to Must-Try Indonesian Food
More
❯
7 Top Green Hotels in Indonesia
More
❯
7 Handicraft Centers You Must Visit When Visiting Indonesia
More
❯
Discover the Art of Hand-Weaving At These Indonesian Villages
More
❯
5 Ways to Travel Responsibly and Support Green Tourism
More
❯
7 Enchanting Stories behind Indonesia’s Famous Batik
More
❯
Discover Indonesian Batik at These 5 Batik Museums
More
❯
Go Green: 5 Eco-Tourism Experiences in Indonesia That Will Reconnect You with Nature
More
❯
7 Top Sports Tourism Destinations in Indonesia
More
❯
7 Amazing National Parks in Java and Bali for Thrill-Seekers
More
❯
8 Heart-Pounding Adventure Sports in Bali
More
❯
Immersive Village Tourism Experiences For You to Enjoy In Indonesia
More
❯
5 Unique Ecotourism Experiences in Indonesia
More
❯
The Bliss of Ramadan Tradition in Bali
More
❯
Spending Too Much Time with Screens? Plan a Digital Detox Amongst Nature!
More
❯
Majalah Bumbu: A Closer Look at the Indonesian Culinary
More
❯
Why Bali Would be The Best Start to Your 2020 Travel Trips
More
❯
Indonesia’s Best Destinations for 2020
More
❯
Celebrate A Colourful and Festive Lunar New Year in Indonesia: Where to Go and What to Do
More
❯
Wonderful Indonesia through The Magic of Inspiring Illustrators
More
❯Well, I just love Bali so much, and we fell in love with the culture, people, the food. Everything was just amazing. I feel like in Bali, you can find serenity anywhere, literally. It's our favorite place that we've been to on our entire trip.
