Barong (mythology)

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Barong

Barong, a Balinese mythological creature
Country	Indonesia
Region	Bali

Barong is a panther-like creature and character in the

Barong animal mask dance, together with sanghyang dance are considered native Balinese dances, probably predating Hindu influences. The native Indonesians of Austronesian heritage often have similar mask dances that represent either ancestral or natural spirits; an example is Dayak's Hudoq dance or any similar bear worship practice. The term barong is thought to have been derived from the local term bahruang, which today corresponds to the Indonesian word beruang which means "bear".^[2] It refers to a good spirit, that takes the form of an animal as the guardian of the forest.

In Balinese mythology, the good spirit is identified as Banas Pati Raja. Banas Pati Raja is the fourth "brother" or spirit child that accompanies a child throughout their life, which is a similar concept to guardian angels. Banas Pati Raja is the spirit that animates Barong. A protector spirit, he is often represented as a lion. The Barong is often portrayed as accompanied by two monkeys.

Barong is portrayed as a lion with a red head, covered in white thick fur, and wearing gilded jewelry adorned with pieces of mirrors. The shape of the lion Barong is somewhat similar to a

Rangda is Barong's opposite. While Barong represents good, Rangda represents evil. Rangda is known as a demon queen, the incarnation of

King Airlangga, who had heard of this matter, then asked his advisor, Empu Bharada, to deal with this problem. Empu Bharada then sent his disciple, Empu Bahula, to be married to Ratna. Both were married with a huge feast that lasted seven days and seven nights, and the situation returned to normal. Calon Arang had a book that contained magic incantations. One day, this book was found by Empu Bahula, who turned it over to Empu Bharada. As soon as Calon Arang knew that the book had been stolen, she became angry and decided to fight Empu Bharada. Without the help of Durga, Calon Arang was defeated. Since she was defeated, the village was safe from the threat of Calon Arang's black magic.

Rangda

Another version holds that Rangda was linked to the historical queen

The lion is the popular one, as it comes from the

• The dance opens with two playful monkeys teasing Barong in a peaceful environment.
• The next scene is popularly known as "Keris Dance". The Rangda character appears and wreaks havoc. She casts black magic upon male dancers, who represent Airlangga's soldiers, and orders them to commit suicide. In a trance, these men stab themselves on their chest with their own kris. Meanwhile, Barong and the priest cast protective magic on these men, which makes them invulnerable to sharp objects.
• The dance ends with the final battle between Barong and Rangda, concluding with the victory of Barong over Rangda. Rangda runs away, the evil is defeated, and the celestial order is restored.

Variations

The lion barong is one of five traditional Barongs. In Bali each region of the island has its own protective spirit for its forests and lands. Each Barong for each region is modeled after a different animal. They are:

Barong Ket

Lion barong as banaspati raja means king of the jungle, the most common Barong, it is the symbol of a good spirit, headdress uses sekar taji made of carved leather, sliced with prada and added with some small mirror decoration.^[4]

Barong Bangkal

Bangkal or Bangkung is an old pig in Bali and is considered a mythical animal that has strength. It is made of velvet fabric. Paraded on Galungan and Kuningan holidays.^[4]

Barong Macan

Barong shaped like a tiger that lives in the forest, its fur resembles a tiger fur made of velvet fabric. Tigers are famous mythical animals in stories in Bali, especially tantri.^[4]

Barong Asu

Very sacred barong asu, portrayed as a dog, is in Pacung, Tabanan. paraded especially on Galungan and Kuningan holidays.^[4]

Barong Gajah

The shape resembles an elephant from India. Barong is paraded around the village on Galungan and Kuningan holidays.^[4]

Barong Landung

Barong landung has a different form with barongs in Bali. This barong is not danced by 2 dancers as in general, this barong manifests like two male and female dolls, which are called 'Jero Luh' and 'Jero Gede', the form is similar to Betawi Ondel-ondel.^[4]

See also

• Rangda
• Folklore of Indonesia
• Balinese dance
• Balinese theater
• Balinese art
• Dance of Indonesia
• Village Goddess
• Hudoq
• Barongsai
• Chhota Bheem and the Throne of Bali

Notes

References

• Lansing, J. Stephen (1995). The Balinese. San Diego: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.
  ISBN 978-0-15-500240-1
  .
• Slattum, Judy (2011). Masks of Bali: Spirits of an Ancient Drama. San Francisco: Tuttle Publishing.
  ISBN 978-0804841849
  .

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