Barong

Barong is a sacred figure in Balinese mythology, representing goodness, protection, and the leadership of spirits. It is the eternal adversary of Rangda, the symbol of evil and destruction (the witch widow), and is believed to possess great spiritual power that protects the Balinese people from epidemics, black magic, and malevolent spirits.

Etiymology

There are two differing approaches regarding the origin of the word "Barong":

Sanskrit Origin

The term is thought to derive from the Sanskrit word bahrwang, meaning "bear." Although bears do not exist in Bali, this name signifies a mythological protective force.

Alternative Origin

The word may have originated from the Sanskrit root Barong Bhairawa, meaning "terrifying," or from the Balinese word Brerong, which refers to a type of forest cat.

Mythological Origins and Legends

The existence and protective role of Barong are based on various legends:

The Ratu Gede Mechaling Legend

On the island of Nusa Penida, off the southeast coast of Bali, the demon queen Ratu Gede Mechaling attacked Bali in the form of Barong, spreading disease. In response, a priest possessing white magic (kanda-empat) revived Banaspati Raja, the "Lord of the Forests." Banaspati Raja assumed the true form of Barong and expelled the evil spirits from the island. Since this event, Barong has become a symbol invoked to protect villages during times of illness.

The Shiva Legend

According to one account, the god Shiva descended to earth after his wife transformed into a terrifying entity, taking the form of a giant Pota Egeg or Barong.

Types of Barong

In different regions of Bali, Barongs appear in various animal forms corresponding to the local protective spirits. Each type has distinct physical characteristics:

• Barong Ket (Keket): The most common and most sacred type. It has a composite face resembling a lion, tiger, cow, and goat. It represents the "Lord of the Forests." Its body is covered in palm fiber, and it features ornate leather wings (sekar-taji) and a mirror-adorned tail.
• Barong Celeng (Bangkal): Takes the form of a wild boar. Often paraded through streets during the Galungan festival.
• Barong Macan: Takes the form of a tiger, with a face resembling the Sumatran leopard.
• Barong Asu: Takes the form of a dog. Found only at the Pachung Ana Temple in Tabanan and considered highly sacred.
• Barong Gajah: The elephant-form Barong; examples are found in Denpasar.
• Barong Landung: Does not wear an animal mask; instead, it appears as a large puppet. It consists of two characters—one male (Jero Gede) and one female (Jero Luh)—both controlled from within by a single dancer.
• Other Types: Known variations include the dragon- or snake-form Barong Naga, the Barong Brutuk with a costume made of dried banana leaves, and the Barongan Pilangrejo, symbolizing wildness.

Barong Dance (Tari Barong)

The Barong Dance is one of Bali’s most important ritual and performing arts, centered on the Barong figure. Its origins trace back to pre-Hindu times, and it preserves movements imitating nature, such as the lion’s neck motions (ngeraja singa) and the leaping of birds (gelatik nuwut papah).

Barong Dance (Flickr)

Performance Content

The dance typically dramatizes the struggle between Barong (good) and Rangda (evil), particularly drawing from the Calonarang story.

• Opening: The performance begins with two playful monkeys provoking Barong into a lively state.
• Keris Dance (Dagger Scene): The Rangda character emerges and uses black magic to bewitch the soldiers of King Erlangga. The possessed soldiers attempt to stab themselves with daggers (kris). At this point, Barong and the priest intervene, performing protective spells to prevent the soldiers from being injured.
• Music: The dance is accompanied by a special orchestra called Gamelan Bebarongan. This ensemble uses a five-tone system similar to that of Legong music but is characterized by the use of the gender rambat (a metalophone with 13–15 keys).
• Location and Sacredness: Barong is typically kept in a death temple (pura dalem). Dances depicting the Calonarang story are often performed in cemeteries and may begin at night and continue until dawn. The beard of the Barong is made from human hair, and priests immerse this beard in water to create sacred water, which they use to heal dancers who enter trance states.