Posted on 10.03.2013, 11.10.2014
In Hinduism, dance is an accompaniment to the perpetual dissolving and reforming of the world. In the isle of Bali there are various categories of dance, the most known being Barong Dance, which illustrating the eternal battle between good and evil through the battle between Barong (a lion-like creature in the local mythology, the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good) and Rangda (the demon queen and mother of all spirit guarders). The story say that Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, the King of Bali in the 10th century, was condemned by Erlangga's father because she practiced black magic. After she became widow, she summoned all the evil spirits and demons to come after Erlangga, and she and her black magic troops were so strong, that the raja had to ask the help of Barong. The fight begun, and Rangda casted a spell that made Erlangga soldiers to want to commit suicide, stabbing themself with their own kris. Meanwhile Barong and a priest have casted protective magic on these men, which made them invulnerable to sharp objects. At the end, Barong won, and Rangda ran away, so the evil was defeated, and the celestial order was restored.
The masks of Barong and Rangda are considered sacred items, and before they are brought out, a priest must be present to offer blessings by sprinkling them with holy water taken from Mount Agung, and offerrings must be presented. They are several versions of the Barong Dance, such as Barong Ket, Barong Asu (Dog Barong), Barong Macan (Tiger Barong), Barong Gajah (Elephant Barong), Barong Bangkal (Pig Barong) - wanders from door to door to cleanse the territory of evil influences.
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