Why the dance
and music of Bali
are special

They entertain and uplift your spirit. Both art forms have been performed and acclaimed in major cultural centers around the world. Experiencing them in Bali is the ultimate experience.

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Dances of Bali

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Ramayana

Most Balinese dances relate to segments of the Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic illustrating the perpetual struggle between good and evil.

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Popular dances

The three favorite dances among locals and tourists in Bali are:

Barong
A classic dance. Stunning. Depicts the conflict between the good Barong (dressed in a fanciful lion-like costume) and the evil Rangda.

Legong
Another classic dance. Graceful. Performed by three pre-pubescent girls in colorful attire.

Kecak (monkey dance)
Although this frenetic dance was not choreographed until the 1930s (and by a Westerner), the Kecak is convincingly rooted in Balinese tradition. Typically, it features 50 to 100 bare-chested men sitting cross-legged in tight concentric circles. They play the role of monkeys, which is why the dance is sometimes called the "monkey dance". As they sway in unison, they repeatedly chant the nonsensical phrase "kechak ke chak” virtually non-stop and without musical accompaniment. They do this in a hypnotic beat to scare away an evil spirit. Several Balinese dancers help dramatize the story.

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for more Bali dance & music pointers

Rice terraces

Dance & music

Arts & craft

Temples

Ubud

Sports

Luxury resorts

Kuta

Food

Beaches

    Runners' up

Bali tip sheet

Bali attraction map

Best 5 nearby islands

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Bali Tourism Board

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