Welcome on the blog of Swarga Odyssey, a local travel agency specialized in Indonesia. Here, we give you all the advice and tips to prepare your trip to Bali and Indonesia.
Dance is one of these omnipresent arts on the island of Bali. Both religious, mystical, fabulous, if you plan to visit the island of the gods soon, and you like to discover the local culture, this is undoubtedly one of those things not to be missed.
A religious dimension
Balinese Hinduism combines local beliefs, Buddhism, and Indian traditions. Their main deity, Sanghyang Widhi Wasa, manifests in three forms known as the Trimurti, or "the Trinity": Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Humans are tasked with maintaining a balance between malevolent spirits and the gods.
🌋 Where do the gods and ancestors reside ?
They take up their celestial abodes in the mountains and volcanoes. In fact, Mount Agung is considered the home of the deities. Every year, the Balinese ascend the mountain as a form of pilgrimage.
And what about the demons ?
🌋 In contrast to the gods, demons inhabit places of chaos, such as the sea, which is viewed as a space of uncontrollable energy. Demons are associated with the lower regions of the world. According to the Balinese, the universe is divided into three levels: the realm of the gods at the top, the realm of humans in the middle, and the realm of demons below.
Every object is inhabited by one or more spirits, to whom they pay homage through various offerings. Every gesture matters, no matter the size of the offering. Gods and demons are everywhere, which is why rituals take place throughout the year.
What is the importance of dance in Balinese religion?
🌾 Dances are seen as religious offerings to the gods. The precise movements, the colors of the costumes, the beauty of the outfits, and the music are all designed to please the gods and attract their favor.
🔮 Beyond religious offerings, the principle of balance between worlds is always present. Dance serves to maintain harmony between the forces of good and evil, as well as between the spirit world and the human realm. The movements of the dances symbolize the struggle against opposing energies, seeking peace and order in the universe.
🧒🏼 Lastly, the third reason is the transmission of cultural knowledge. Dance is a means of passing down myths and beliefs from generation to generation.
Now that you have an overview of Balinese Hinduism, here is a presentation of the various dances that bring this religion to life.
The various Balinese dances
It is important to note that dances are performed by both women and men. In Bali, it is a point of pride to dance for one’s religion, and everyone is happy to participate. Each dance tells a story, whether it be about demons, gods, warriors, princesses, or princes, all drawn from the epic of Ramayana.
The Barong dance
The Barong depicts the battle between good and evil. Goodness is represented by the Barong, a mystical creature resembling a lion, who fights against Rangda, a demonic witch, to protect his village. This eternal struggle is expressed through various movements accompanied by the gamelan, Bali's traditional musical instrument.
The Barong is regarded as the magical protector of Balinese villages!
The Kecak Fire
The Kecak is a Hindu ceremony characterized by the famous “chack-a-chack-a-chack-a.” Various characters tell the story through battles and dances. The Kecak is not accompanied by any instruments; only the voices of the chorus guide the dance.
The Origins of Kecak Fire
In 1930, the village of Bona fell gravely ill, and many villagers lost their lives in a short period (due to a plague). Helpless in the face of the situation, the residents began making noise, believing it would drive away the illness. Every evening, before going to bed, they would hit their beds and walls with various objects. One night, a man was possessed by a human voice whispering “Kecak-Kecak-Kecak,” and he began to shout it throughout the village. The illness deserted the village, and since that day, the Balinese have danced the Kecak to protect themselves from bad influences.
The dancers enter a trance, delivering an impressive performance, such as when they walk through fire.
The topeng
The Topeng is a form of dance theater that is sung and masked. Behind their masks, several dancers interpret ancient stories about kings and mystical heroes. The word "Topeng" means "mask" in several Indonesian languages. It can be performed for both religious rituals and simple festive displays.
The masks used are not just ordinary objects; they are vibrant representations of spirits, ancestors, and deities. According to some versions of the myth, the masks are used by spirits to temporarily embody themselves in order to communicate with the living.
The Topeng connects the art of dance to ancient legends and rituals that already honored ancestors, gods, and spirits in the past.
Le Legong
The Legong tells mythological stories through colorful costumes and golden headdresses. It narrates its tale with important elements of Balinese culture. The choreography unfolds to the rhythm of the gamelan. It is considered one of the most refined yet also one of the most complex dances.
This dance is governed by very strict rules, such as the movement of the eyes, hands, and fingers, and the various postures of the dancers are highly precise.
The Legong dance depicts the love of King Lasem for Rangkesari. The dancers, dressed in golden and floral costumes, perform graceful movements that echo love and devotion. In the past, this dance was performed in royal palaces.
Le Pendet
The Pendet is a dance that is performed to purify temples or theaters before religious ceremonies. Practiced by young women carrying bowls of flower petals, it also serves to invite the gods to participate and enjoy the upcoming performance. Over time, it has evolved into a welcoming dance while still retaining its religious significance.
Where can you see the dances in Bali ?
Most of these traditional dances are performed in numerous shows across the island, almost every evening. Here is the list of the most famous places where it is possible to attend:
- Ubud Royal Palace : Legong & Topeng
- Pura Dalem in Ubud : Kecak Fire & Pendet
- Tanah Lot : Kecak Fire & Pendet
- Uluwatu Temple : Kecak Fire
- Pura Puseh in Ubud : Kecak Fire & Pendet
- Saraswati Temple : Legong
Note that for certain dances, such as the Barong, you can attend performances in public places. For example, on Canggu Beach or during Galungan, the Balinese perform in the streets.
The ceremonies last about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the dance.
Nous espérons que cet article vous a permis de découvrir certains aspects de la culture balinaise. N'hésitez pas à consulter également l'article de la semaine dernière sur les fêtes de Galungan et Kuningan afin de compléter vos connaissances !
Nous sommes aussi très actif sur Instagram en partageant du contenu sur la culture balinaise et sur l’Indonésie : @@swarga.odyssey ! N’hésitez pas à nous suivre !