By: Elise Plat
Bali – the famed Island of the Gods, is a place where culture, tradition, and spirituality intertwine seamlessly. Among the many treasures this paradise holds, traditional dances stand out as a vibrant tapestry woven with history, mythology, and essence of Balinese life. From graceful movements to intricate costumes, each dance tells its own story, captivating audiences and transporting them to a real of beauty and mystique. Let’s take a mesmerizing journey through some of Bali’s must-see traditional dances.
Kecak Fire Dance
Prepare to be spellbound by the hypnotic rhythms of the Kedak Dance, a unique performance where the human voice takes the centre stage. The gamelan, a choir of a hundred bare-chested men or so sitting in concentric circles, swaying, standing up, lying prone while chanting ‘’cak, cak, cak’’ in unison as the story develops. This story is a fragment from the Ramayana, the Hindu epic which finds its expression in many forms. The story is about prince Rama and his wife Sita that have been banished from the kingdom as a result of trickery by Rama’s stepmother. Meanwhile another king wants to kidnap Sita and make her his own and tries multiple times to steal her away. During the performance the story develops in the midst of the circle of chanting men. This was truly a completely new experience for me, and it was amazing to see how all the men and women work together within this dance. From the way they moved their hands and facial expressions to their detailed clothing, it was all on point. If you want to know how the story ends be sure to pay a visit to this special dance!
Trance Dance
The Trance dance or Sanghyang Djaran is a god inspired trance-dance. The function of which is to protect society against evil forces and epidemics. It can take multiple different forms but the version I have seen is the Sanghyang Djaran, djaran meaning horse. In both Java and Bali, the hobby horse is associated with trance and can also be seen in West Java, Kuda Kepang, in a similar function. Here the horse rider is lulled into a trance by the reoccurring sounds of the gamelan and in this state he walks on a bed of burning coconut husks responding to the rising and falling of the gamelan. To a lot of people this might seem very painful and dangerous (at least it did to me) but these people are not untrained, it can still hurt but they know how to deal with the pain, which makes this dance unique and that much more impressive.
Barong Dance
This is sceptical not to miss when in Bali. This dance embodies the eternal struggle between good and evil, which is a very big theme throughout the Indonesian culture. This performance is about one of the most well-known mystical tales you will find here. Imagine a majestic lion-like creature, Barong, dressed in a colourful attire, representing all things good. This lion is in a never-ending battle with Rangda, which can be pictured as a sinister demon queen, representing all things evil. Accompanied by a gamelan orchestra, dancers in elaborate costumes enact this age-old tale. With the dance the eternal conflict between light and darkness is symbolized, a theme echoed throughout Balinese culture.
Legong Dance
Presented as one of the most exquisite classical dances in the world, Legong Dance is one for the itinerary. It originated from the royal courts of Bali and is led by three young female dancers that portray celestial nymphs. The story itself can be traced back to the 18th century and legend has it that the dance was inspired by a vision of a celestial maiden seen with the king, who then instructed his court dancers to create a dance that captured her beauty and grace.All in all, this dance form exudes grace and has intricate footwork and detailed costumes, the Legong mesmerizes spectators with its movements and storytelling and is definitely worth your time.
Joged Dance
A lively and celebratory performance that captures the essence of Balinese village life is the Joged Dance. Filled with joyous notes and featuring playful interactions between male and female dancers, this dance invites the audience participation, inviting all to join and let loose. This dance was associated and performed for ceremonial events that marked significant milestones in the lives of the Balinese people. Over time, it evolved into a popular form of entertainment that can also be enjoyed by guests from all over the world.
This was an experience like no other, which I highly recommend to everyone coming to Bali! These dances captivate the audience and leave them speechless. The details in the clothing and their unique and fluent way of dance makes this money well spent. It offers a window into the island’s rich cultural heritage, this is a promise for an unforgettable experience. The dance locations and times vary so be sure to check it out, this information can easily be found online. Let the rhythms guide you and be surprised by what is to come!
