Bali’s Barong

Long before Hinduism reached Bali’s shores, the island had its own, animism-based mythology. Many of the fantastic beings who populated this mythology were adapted into Hinduism. Among these is the Barong, the mythic lion who remains a hugely popular figure in Balinese culture.

A Barong is a protective, spirit king. Balinese mythology has five Barongs for each region of the island, each represented by a different animal.  Barong Ket the lion from Gianyar is a shaggy haired, lumbering village guardian who is at once fearsome and lovable. His primary task is to fight off chaos and evil epitomized in the figure of Rangda, the semi-divine demon queen and restore the balance between good and evil.

This battle is enacted through ritual drama. The performance is highly interactive, with Barong Ket lumbering through the audience, calling out to people to join in the encounter with Rangda. Barong Ket also teases and jokes with villagers in the course of his epic battle.

Virtually every village has its own Barong costume. Two actors take on the lion king’s persona – one shakes the Barong’s head and clacks his teeth while the other is in charge of wagging the golden tail. In these rituals, Rangda is given equal billing as Balinese villagers believe that acknowledging the power of dark forces helps keep them in check. The underlying realism of the ritual lies in the fact that neither side ever wins outright – the aim here is to find balance between good and evil. Actors often take their show on the road, visiting neighboring villages for seasonal performances. It’s also an opportunity to meet new women! Videogame developers have featured these mythic creatures in games like Digimon, Gameboy Color’s Azure Dreams and Persona 3.

Pictured Above: Barong Masks Wall Decor from Cultural Elements