Balinese Barong (Mythical Beast)

Barong is a character in the mythology of Bali. He is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good, and enemy of Rangda in the mythological traditions of Bali. Banas Pati Rajah is the fourth “brother” or spirit child that accompanies a child throughout life. Banas Pati Rajah is the spirit which animates Barong. A protector spirit, he is often represented by a lion, and traditional performances of his struggles against Rangda are popular parts of Balinese culture.

The lion barong is one of five traditional Barong. 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. There is a boar, a tiger, a dragon (or serpent) and the traditional lion. The lion is the popular one as it comes from the Gianyar region where Ubud (the home of tourist viewed ritual) is located. Within the calonarong, the dance drama in which the Barong appears, the barong responds to Rangda’s use of magic to control and kill her to restore balance.

The Barong is always associated with Bali. Known throughout much of the world, Barong has become almost the icon of Bali. In daily lives of the Balinese, Barong is the sacred symbol of truth and goodness. They are respected and taken care of in the temples so that they may protect the people from the evils of the world.

Barong Dance (or “The Barong and Keris Dance”) performance was first introduced to tourism in 1930. It was the German painter Walter Spies who lived in Ubud, who invited his western friends to watch the Calonarang dance drama in Tegal Tamu and Pagutan whenever there was a festival at the local temples. Later Walter Spies proposed to make replicas of Barong and Rangda so that people could see the Calonarang Dance outside the temple festivals.

Usually the Barong’s form is a symbol of certain animals, such as in the Barong Macan( Tiger) and Barong Gajah (Elephant).Of all the types of Barongs, the most commonly known is Barong Ket. Barong Ket is a combination of lion, tiger, and cow. Its white fur is made from the Praksok plant or white feathers. Its body is covered with beautiful carved gold ornaments and mirrors. In myth, the Barong is the king of the jungle and the embodiment of truth and goodness. Sacred Barongs are kept in temples to protect the people from evil.