Indonesia Zone

Barong is a character in the mythology of Bali. He is the king of the spirits that represent goodness. He is an enemy Rangda in Balinese mythology. Banas Pati Rajah is the spirit that accompany a child in her life. Banas Pati Rajah is believed to be the spirit that moves Barong. As a protective spirit, Barong is often presented as a lion. Traditional dances in Bali which describes the battle between the Barong and Rangda very popular and is often shown as a tourist attraction.

Barong Dance is danced by two male dancers, one player plays the head of a barong and the front legs, and one player playing the part of the hind legs and tail. This dance is a dance of Pre-Hindu cultural heritage that uses dolls quadruped form or by early humans who have magical powers.

Barong word allegedly comes from the word "bahrwang" which means bear, animal mythology that has magic powers, considered as a protector. But in Bali Barong in fact not only realized in the four-legged animals but there is also a two-legged. Barong mask made of wood taken from haunted places such as graves. Therefore, Barong regarded as sacred objects that are sanctified by the Balinese Hindu community. This dance is always preceded by demonstrations that accompanied the show with gamelan different as gamelan Gong Kebyar, Babarongan gamelan and gamelan Batel.

In every part of the island of Bali has a protective spirit to the land and forests respectively. Each Barong which represents a specific area is described as a different animal. Barong many kinds, there is a lion-shaped head, tiger, male wild boar (Bangkal), elephant, snake, ox or keket. Keket by the Balinese considered the king of the forest which is also known by the name of King Banaspati.