Perhaps one of the most mystical and magical dances you will ever see in Bali is the Barong "trance" dance! Barong, the "Lord of the Jungle", is a great shaggy lion-like beast wearing an elaborate costume of bells, mirrors, peacock feathers and a mask with bulging eyes and red face. He appears in a magnificent battle with Rangda, or Durga, an demonic beast who symbolizes the force of evil. Although Barong seems to evokes fear, he is the bringer of the sun, light, and medicine. He is the destroyer of evil and the guardian of the Balinese villages.The Barong trance dance symbolizes the eternal battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. Light versus dark. Knowledge versus ignorance. Peace versus war. Love versus hate. Just as Rangda dances wildly, insanely and evokes terror in the atmosphere, the gamelan rings in the entrance of Barong and the back-and-forth fight between the two begins. Both Barong and Rangda are fuelled by the sacred power of sakti, which is the greatest power of the universe, but Barong is the bringer of light. Barong is the Sun. And light destroys all darkness, ignorance, hatred, and fear. The Barong dance evokes thought, but also entertains, inviting the audience to laugh aloud and jump in suspense. The Barong Dance is not to be missed during your visit in Ubud!

Look out for Barong dancing in the Events Calendar!