The Kris Dance, often included as part of the Barong Dance, is an exhilerating knife-yielding dance that involves overcoming the power of evil using a dagger imbuded with supernatural powers! It can't get more exciting than this performance! The "kris" is a sacred dagger made through the ancient mastery of steel-making. It is a highly revered and extremely well-crafted object that is an essential part of Indonesian culture and still worn today as part of men's traditional ceremonial dress. The sacred nature of the kris is believed to originate from the belief that the kris is endowed with magical or supernatural powers. It is often believed the kris is the home to a spirit. Although orginally functioning as a weapon, the kris is now a ceremonial object and also used in performance to symbolize the overcoming of evil. In the Barong Dance, the dancers use the kris to overcome the evil witch Rangda who personifes the evil force. During the performance, Barong, the protector of the villages, encounters Rangda. With the help of the warriors (above) the evil witch Rangda is overcome, but not before an incredible battle! In the finale, the warriors stab themselves with the kris in a display of courage and strength. The selection of daggers below is part of a large collection on display at the Neka Art Museum in Ubud. To see this collection, please visit: Neka Art Museum

Find Barong in the UbudVibe.com Events Calendar and experience the power of the kris!