Are you interested in exploring Balinese culture during your Bali vacation? If so, this holiday activity guide is for you. Consequently, this article will provide insights into a vibrant form of Balinese art and culture, the Barong Dance. For instance, it includes details about its history, cultural significance, the best places to watch, and Barong Dance Bali ticket prices for the best experience.
Bahasa Indonesia, “Panduan Menonton Tari Barong Bali” >>>
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A Brief History of the Balinese Barong Dance
Above all, this captivating performance is a cultural heritage from Bali, depicting the eternal battle between Barong, symbolizing good, and Rangda, representing evil. Also, a Balinese Hindu religious leader known as Pemangku guides this sacred ritual. On the other hand, for an in-depth familiarity with its history, please follow this link.
Why You Should Watch Barong Dance while on Vacation in Bali
Above all, the Barong Dance in Bali is a captivating and educational performance that showcases the struggle between good (Barong) and evil (Rangda). Also, the performances occur in traditional villages, providing an opportunity to experience Balinese life and interact with the local community. Also, by watching the performance, you support preserving and developing Balinese art and culture.
Types of Balinese Barong Dance
In addition, Bali offers various performances, the most famous being the Barong Ket and the Barong Bangkung. The following is a brief explanation of several types you may encounter:
- Ket: The most recognized type, resembling a lion in its stories, representing goodness.
- Barong Bangkal: Also known as Barong Bangkung, this type resembles a boar.
- Barong Macan: As the name suggests, this version resembles a tiger.
- Barong Asu: Resembling a dog is rare and usually only performed in some regions of Bali.
- Unlike other types, the Barong Landung, which resembles a human, usually performs in pairs.
- On the other hand, Barong Gajah, as its name implies, resembles an elephant and is rarely seen on the island.
Understanding the Barong Ket and Its Significance
Furthermore, Barong Ket is the most famous type of Theatrical Performance in Bali, featuring in almost every Balinese Mythological Performance.
Experiencing Barong Ket
The Barong Ket costume resembles a lion, covered in thick, feather-like material, with elaborate ornaments on the head, unique ornaments, and many small mirrors in the body area.
Two male dancers are required to perform the Balinese Barong Ket Dance. One dancer takes place at the front in charge of dancing the head and forelegs of the Barong, while the other dancers are at the rear, assigned to move the tail and hind legs of the Barong.
Ideal Locations to Enjoy Traditional Performances
Daily performances take place across various regions of Bali. Some recommended locations to watch the Barong Ket include Batubulan Village, Ubud Village, Kesiman Village, Tanah Kilap, Pemongan, and Denpasar.
Please note that in each location, the staging uses a Balinese architectural backdrop in the shape of ‘Candi Bentar‘, with the audience sitting in a terraced seating area. A roof also protects the audience’s seating area, so the audience will not feel hot while watching.
1. Batubulan Village
Batubulan Village is the centre of Balinese arts and culture and is a favourite location for tourists to watch Balinese Barong Dance performances. Here, you can enjoy the Bali Barong Ket Dance performance every morning from 09:30 to 10:30.
Batubulan Village, known for its frequent performances, offers the same entrance ticket price across all its venues. For more details concerning the location of the performance and the price of the Barong Dance Batubulan entrance ticket, please click this link.
2. Ubud Village
Ubud Village, known as Bali’s arts and culture centre, also offers an extraordinary Barong Dance performance. Some places, like Ubud Palace and ARMA Museum, present this show on certain days. Barong Dance performance time in Ubud is usually at night, around 19:00.
You can also visit Peliatan Village, famous for its Barong and Legong Peliatan Dance. Please click this link for additional detailed knowledge about the Barong Dance performance in Ubud.
3. Kesiman Village
Furthermore, Kesiman Village, located in the eastern part of Denpasar and adjacent to Sanur Beach, is an excellent place to enjoy a Barong Dance performance. You can watch this performance at the Uma Dewi Stage, Waribang Kesiman. Meanwhile, the Barong Waribang Kesiman Dance Show is available daily from 09:30 to 10:30 am.
4. Tanah Kilap, Pemongan, Denpasar
Tanah Kilap, located in Pemongan, Denpasar, promises an exhilarating Barong Dance performance at the Sari Wisata Budaya Stage.
Pemongan is in the tourist area of southern Bali. Therefore, tourists who want to watch the Barong Dance and are not far from their hotel usually watch it at Tanah Kilap Pemogan. The Bali Barong Tanah Kilap Pemogan Dance Show is available daily from 09:15 to 10:15 am.
Access to Performance Locations
To reach the performance locations, various transportation options are available. These include taxis, online transportation, private transportation (motorbike or car rentals), and car rental services with a private driver. For those who prefer pre-arranged schedules, many Bali tour package providers include an opportunity to watch the performance. Meanwhile, if you want to know more about a guide on how to get around Bali, please click the link!
Tips for a Fulfilling Experience
Understanding the story behind the Barong and Kris Dance performance in Bali will enhance your experience. Also, respecting local rules and traditions during the performance, such as not talking loudly and wearing appropriate clothes, is essential. For the best viewing experience, choosing seats at the front and centre and bringing drinking water and snacks is advisable.
Knowing the Story Behind the Barong Ket & Kris Dance
The Calon Arang story inspires the Barong Ket dance. For those unfamiliar, Calon Arang tells the story of the battle between good, represented by Mpu Bharada, and evil, played by a mighty widow from the Girah village named Calon Arang.
So, what does the Barong Dance symbolize in Bali? In the Barong dance performance, the Barong Ket personifies kindness. While the antagonist, who plays the crime, is Rangda, a word in Javanese that means Widow.
The Balinese Kris Dance, part of the Barong dance performance, shows dancers using a Kris as their primary weapon. The dance carries significant sacred value, as dancers often fall into a trance.
In the Bali Barong Ket Dance performance, several male dancers will attack Rangda with a dagger. However, because of Rangda’s mystical powers, the assailants – who represent the soldiers of the Airlangga Kingdom in Calonarang’s story – ended up attacking themselves with daggers.
In a trance, the male dancers thrust their daggers into their chests. However, the Barong and a priest protect them with protective spells, making them immune to Kris’s stab wounds. The fight ended when Barong Ket managed to beat Rangda. After that, Barong Ket brought back the male assailants’ consciousness from the influence of Rangda’s magic.
Booking Tickets for the Barong Ket Bali Dance Show
If you’re planning to watch the Bali Barong Ket Bali Dance Show, ordering your tickets online is advisable to make it cheaper and more convenient. Several official travel agency sites offer tickets at significantly reduced prices if you order them in advance. In addition, ordering tickets online allows you to bypass the long lines often encountered at the ticket counter and avoid the higher published fees.
Here is a comparison of the ticket prices:
| Staging Location | Publish Price | Online Price |
|---|---|---|
| Batubulan | IDR 150.000/person | IDR 100.000 |
| Tanah Kilap | IDR 150.000/person | IDR 100.000 |
Note: The published price is the cost if you buy the Traditional Theatrical Performance ticket directly at the staging location, while the online price is what you’ll pay if you purchase through us at Wira Tour Bali. The prices listed in the table are per person.
How to Book
To book Bali Barong dance tickets at Batubulan or Tanah Kilap Denpasar, you can contact our service department at +62 822 4714 8222 (ID) or +62 813 3956 3400 (EN); both numbers are WhatsApp-ready. Alternatively, use the booking form provided below.
Beyond Barong Dance: The Kecak Dance Bali
While the Barong Dance is a beautiful and integral part of Balinese culture, the island’s artistic diversity extends beyond it. An equally mesmerizing performance to witness during your visit to Bali is the Kecak Dance. Famous around the globe, this dance has become one of the iconic cultural symbols of the Island of the Gods.
In Bali, you can experience the Kecak Dance in six central locations, each offering a unique environment and backdrop.
- Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple: Considered the most famous location for Kecak Dance performances, the Uluwatu Temple offers a show every day starting at 18:00. Its specialty is the beautiful sunset backdrop, painting a fascinating and colourful scenery around the performance.
- Ubud Kecak Dance.
- Kecak dance at GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana).
- Melasti Beach Ungasan Kecak dance performance.
- Kecak dance at Tanah Lot Temple.
- Kecak dance in Batubulan village.
Each location provides its unique charm, creating a rich and varied Kecak experience for those who wish to immerse themselves in Balinese culture.
By venturing beyond the Barong Dance and into the hypnotic rhythms and chants of the Kecak Dance, you’ll expand your understanding of Bali’s rich tapestry of traditional performances and truly engage with the island’s vibrant cultural spirit.
Conclusion: Watching the Balinese Barong Dance Performance
The Barong Dance is an integral part of Balinese culture. Thus, it deserves a place in your itinerary when visiting Bali. By understanding the story behind this dance and observing proper etiquette, you can enjoy a deep immersion in Balinese culture. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the Balinese Traditional Lion Dance when you visit Bali.
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