The Kecak The Barong Legong Keraton

Dance dance The most graceful of Balinese dances, this is the

epitome of classical Balinese female dancing. A
legong, as the dancer is known, is often a young
Its name is derived from the sound "Lord of the forest" and magical
girl of eight or nine years, rarely older than her
"cak", pronounced "chok", which is protector of Balinese villages, the
early teens. It was first created in the 18th
chanted in complex interlocking patterns Barong is a mythical, shaggy half-dog,
Century and is usually the first dance to be taught
that are like the rhythmic patterns half-lion creature, with a long mane,
to beginners. There are many forms of Legong,
played on the gamelan. The modern fantastic fangs, and bulging eyes. It is
the most frequently performed dance being the
form of kecak originated from Gianyar propelled by two men who maneuver
Legong Keraton or Legong of the Palace. The
village of Bedulu in the 1930s as a result the costume with whimsical and
story of the Legong is very stylized and symbolic
commissioned by the German expatriate mischievous movements to express its
and one should know the story before actually
artist, Walter Spies. He wished to create fun-loving nature. The Barong dance
watching the performance. The Legong involves
a performance that could be enjoyed by epitomizes the eternal struggle between
three dancers - two legongs and their 'attendant',
a small coterie of expatriate artists like good and evil. The fight of Barong and
the condong. The legongs are identically
himself, as well as friends and guests to Rangda is also a topic of traditional
costumed in gold brocade, which is bound so
the island. narratives performed in temples and
tightly that it is a mystery such agitated and rapid
takes various forms. The Barong will
The modern performance of Kecak is a moves could be made. With elaborately made-up
snap its jaws at the gamelan, prance
sensational sight to behold. Hundreds of faces, plucked eyebrows that are boldly repainted,
around a bit, and enjoy the acclaim of its
barechested men sit in a circle with a and hair decorated with frangipanis, the dancers
supporters - a group of kris-wielding
flickering single oil lamp in the middle. relate the story with captivating movements.
men. Then ferocious Rangda will then
"Cak - Cak - Cak", the chant begins and appear lolling her long tongue, baring A king takes the maiden Rangkesari captive.
the men start dancing and swaying to her threatening fangs, her neck draped When her brother comes to release her,
the rhythmic reverberation of their own with human entrails...not a pretty sight. Rangkesari begs the king to free her rather than
voices. Hands raised to the sky, bodies The duel begins. Each opponent tries to go to war. The king refuses and chances upon a
shaking in unison, the chorus performs overcome the other with magical powers
Baris but when things do not look too good for
bird carrying ill omens on his way to battle.
However, he ignores the bird, meets Rangkesari's
the Barong, supporters will lunge at
A male equivalent of the Legong, BarisRangda
is a with krises to weaken or stall
her.
warrior's dance. Executed with energetic and In retaliation, Rangda would put
them
warlike martial spirit, the Baris dancer has toall into a trance with her mystical
convey the thoughts and emotions of a warrior
preparing for action as well as confronting an
enemy in battle. This dance is performed solo and
requires great energy, spirit and skill. The
warrior's changing moods have to be displayed
through facial expressions and movements; he
should be able to depict chivalry, pride, anger,
prowess, and a little regret. Baris is said to be one