The Barong Dance

The fabled Barong is a mythical figure who protects the Balinesse from evil spirits.

This is a story telling dance, relating a classic tale of the fight between good and evil represented by Barong and Rangda. Barong represents the good spirit and Rangda is the evil one.

The story goes that Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, the king of Bali in the tenth century, was condemned by Erlangga's father because she practiced black magic. Resentment causes the mad widow to summon all the evil spirit, demon, and to come after Erlangga. Erlangga asks for help from Barong, a creature with a curved tail (representing the affirmative), the protector of mankind, and the spirit associated with white magic. When Barong intervenes, Rangda casts a spell that make Erlangga's soldiers try to kill themselves, pointing their poisoned "Keris" into their own chests and stomachs. Barong also casts a spell - turning the soldier's bodies resistant to the sharp Keris.

In the end, neither side wins. They fight to a draw, because there is no good without evil. Both are needed in the Balinese Universe for balance.

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 offerings must be presented.
barong is problably the most well known dance. It is also another story telling dance, narating the fight between good and evil. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one reality

In the end neither side wins. They fight to a draw, because there is no good without evil. Both are needed in the Balinese Universe, for balance.